Phytochemical characterization and in vitro antioxidant properties of Lantana camara L. and Lantana montevidensis Briq

There is a growing interest of industry to replace synthetic chemicals by natural products with bioactive properties from plant origin. The aim of the present study was the phytochemical characterization and in vitro antioxidant of Lantana camara L. e Lantana montevidensis Briq. The bicyclogermacrene (19.42%), isocaryophyllene (16.70%), valencene (12.94%) and germacrene D (12.34%) were the main constituents of the oil from L. camara, while in the oil from L. montevidensis were β-caryophyllene (31.50%), germacrene D (27.50%) and bicyclogermacrene (13.93%). Phenolic compounds were identified; flavonoids (quercetin and rutin) and phenolic acids (gallic, chlorogenic and caffeic acids) were quantified by HPLC-DAD. Free radical scavenger properties of essential oils and ethanolic extracts were assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Essential oils and extracts promoted an inhibition of the radical DPPH. The extracts of the leaves exhibit lowest IC50 values, indicating the highest potential as free radical scavengers. Our research indicates that those plants good potential in scavenging free radicals and can be an important source of antioxidant phytochemical.