Extraction, Identification, and antioxidant activity of flavonoids from the aerial parts of Heracleum dissectum Ledeb

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with 80% ethanol was used to extract flavonoids from the aerial parts of Heracleum dissectum Ledeb. The flavonoids were purified using macroporous resin and identified by UHPLC-MS/MS. The antioxidant capacity of both crude and purified flavonoid fractions was tested for their ability to scavenge DPPH, (•OH), and ABTS radicals. Optimal UAE conditions were determined through single-factor and Box-Behnken design, with the best parameters being a solvent-to-solid ratio of 42:1, an extraction time of 43 min, and a sonication temperature of 77 °C. The highest flavonoid yield was 59.197 ± 0.287 mg/g. Twenty-three flavonoid compounds were identified based on UHPLC retention times and MS/MS data. The antioxidant activity was highest in ascorbic acid, followed by refined flavonoids, and lowest in the crude extract. This study provides a foundation for the potential use of H. dissectum Ledeb. in resource applications.