Studia Universitatis “Vasile Goldiş”, Seria Ştiinţele Vieţii Vol. 26 issue 4, 2016, pp.463- 472 © 2016 Vasile Goldis University Press (www.studiauniversitatis.ro) * Corresponding author: Teodora Costea, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Phytoterapy Department, no.6, Traian Vuia Street, Bucharest, Romania, telephone: 0040722554665, email: teodoracostea85@yahoo.com BOTANICAL CHARACTERIZATION, PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF INDIGENOUS RED RASPBERRY (RUBUS IDAEUS L.) LEAVES Teodora Costea 1* , Laurian Vlase 2 , Irina Neta Gostin 3 , Nelly Kinga Olah 4 , Genţiana Mihaela Iulia Predan 5 1 Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Phytotherapy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila University" of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania 2 Biopharmaceutical Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania 3 Faculty of Biology, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University, Iasi, Romania 4 SC Plantextrakt SRL, Quality Research and Development Department, Rădaia 407059, Cluj-Napoca, Romania 5 Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania ABSTRACT: In the present study, the botanical profile, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of indigenous red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) leaves were investigated. The microscopic characterization was determined by means of scanning electronic microscopy and transverse sections. Polyphenols, sterolic compounds and ascorbic acid were determined using thin layer chromatography, spectrophotometric and HPLC assays. The scavenger activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical and the reducing power capacity were used for antioxidant activity evaluation. It was found that raspberry leaves are a source of tannins (9.88 g%), flavonoids (0.50 g%), phenolcarboxylic acids (1.13 g%) and sterols (0.89 g%). The HPLC assays reaveled a considerable amount of quercitrin (15.63 mg%), p-coumaric acid (17.55 mg%), ferulic acid (4.88 mg%) and ascorbic acid (4.39 g%). The antioxidant activity was weak compared to standard reference (chlorogenic acid). The herbal product is a source of natural compounds with moderate antioxidant activity. Keywords: polyphenols, sterols, tannins, antioxidant capacity, scanning electron microscopy. INTRODUCTION: The Rosaceae family includes numerous genera (95-125) according to Pakistan’s, Taiwan’s and China’s Flora and over 3000 species (Efloras, 2008). The family is divided into four subfamilies: Spiroideae, Rosoideae, Maloideae and Prunoideae (Ciocarlan, 2009). Rubus genus includes over 41 species according to Romania’s Flora, the most important are: Rubus idaeus L. (red raspberry), Rubus fruticosus L. (blackberry), Rubus caesius L. (European dewberry), Rubus saxatilis L. (stone bramble), Rubus tomentosus Borkh., Rubus hirtus W.K (Constantinescu, 2004; Cheers, 2003). Red raspberry leaves (Rubi idaei folium) and fruits (Rubi idaei fructus) are used for therapeutic purposes. Rubi idaei folium are an important source of: flavonoids (rutin – 52-234.6 mg/kg; hyperoside – 34.4- 720.2 mg/kg; isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside – 176.4- 2914.2 mg/kg; isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside – 138.7- 1000 mg/kg; kaempferol-3-O-glucoside – 266.9-1260.9 mg/kg; kaempferol-3-O-α-rhamnosil(1-2)[6-O- 3hydroxi-3-methylglutaryl]-β-galactosidase; tiliroside =kaempferol–3–O–β–D-(6″- O- (E) – p - coumaroyl) glucopyranoside) (Barnes, 2007; Pelc et al., 2009; Porter et al., 2012), phenolcarboxylic acids (caffeic acid – 3.28-22.61 mg/kg; chlorogenic acid - 29.04- 77.23mg/kg; rosmarinic acid – 6.57-30.82 mg/kg; ellagic acid – 20.26-127.4 mg/kg; gentisic acid and gallic acid) (Buricova et al, 2011; Pelc et al, 2009). Red raspberry leaves are also a source of tannins (2.09- 15%) (sanguuin H6, lambertianin C,D) (Barnes, 2007; PDR, 2005; Patel et al., 2004; Ross et al., 2006), proanthocyanidins B1(Buricova et al., 2011), vitamins (ascorbic acid) (Fejer et. Al., 1970), mineral elements (zinc, manganese, vanadium, calcium, potassium, selenium) (Sikiric et. al., 2011; Kowalenko et al., 2005; Antal et al., 2009; Antal et al., 2010), sterols (stigmasterol, campestrol) (Patel at al., 2004) and volatile compounds (2-hexenal) (Istudor, 2009). Regarding their therapeutic properties, red raspberry leaves have uterine relaxant effects (Holst et al., 2009; Evans, 2009), cytotoxic properties towards HL-60 leukemic cells (Skupien et al., 2006) and antibacterial effect against gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus polymyxa) and gram-negative microrganisms (Azobacter s.p., Pseudomonas s.p.) (Nikitina et al., 2007). Rubi idaei folium are also known for their antiinflamatory and antioxidant properties (Jean-Gilles et. al, 2012; Piwowarski et. al, 2011; Tosun et al., 2009). The aim of our study was the determination of raspberry leaves botanical characteristics (through macroscopic and microscopic exams), their chemical composition and antioxidant capacity (scavenger activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyil – DPPH free radical and reducing power activity).