This study investigated the content and biological activity of three solvent extracts of Adonis ramosa Franch (AR), which contains 12 types of phytochemicals. The overall yield and total protein content of the aqueous extract were the highest, and it exhibited the highest hydroxyl and superoxide radical-scavenging abilities, copper chelating abilities, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity. Ethanol extract had the highest total phenolic, flavonoid, and carbohydrate contents, and it showed the highest iron chelating activity, and HClO- and nitrite-scavenging abilities. Methanol AR extract contained the highest total steroid and tannin contents; it also demonstrated high radical- and reactive oxygen species-scavenging abilities and had the best ferric reducing antioxidant power, which allowed it to effectively prevent β-carotene bleaching. Methanol extract also showed good stability and low toxicity. All tested solvent extracts of AR exhibited weak enzyme-inhibitory activities for four enzymes (α-glucosidase, α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase). Overall, AR can serve as a natural antioxidant.
Keywords: Adonis ramosa Franch; antioxidant activity; enzyme-inhibitory activity; phytochemical profiling; solvent extraction; stability studies; toxic activity.