Chemical composition, nutritional value, and antioxidant constituents of Kalopanax pictus leaves

This study was carried out to analyze the nutritional composition, mineral content and antioxidant activity of Kalopanax pictus leaves. K. pictus leaves are high in carbohydrates (60.37%) and crude protein content (27.05%) on a dry weight basis with low content of fatty acids (1.45%). Hyperoside (1), 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinic acid (2), methyl 3,5-dicaffeoyl quinate (3), and 3-O-feruloylquinic acid (4) were isolated and purified from this plant as well. In all the chemical assays used, compound 3 exerted better 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, reducing power ability, and was a potent inhibitor of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cell death and lipid peroxidation, whereas compound 4 presented as a powerful radical scavenger against superoxide radicals. Our results suggest that the chemical components of K. pictus leaves possess good antioxidant capacities and this species might have potential applications in the food and medical industries.