Nathin Loria Saragih1, Billy Johnson Kepel2, Fona Dwiana Hermina Budiarso3, Fatimawali4, Aaltje Ellen
Manampiring5
In Vitro Antioxidant Activity Test of Pink Chrysanthemum Leaf Ethanol Extract (Chrysanthemum
Morifolium) Using DPPH and Frap Methods
Journal of Indonesian Impressions (JII) Vol. 4, No. 2, February 2025 1120
highlighted in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to reduce one-third of
premature deaths caused by NCDs by 2030 (Wardani et al., 2024). According to the World
Health Organization (WHO), degenerative diseases are the leading cause of NCD deaths,
accounting for more than 80% of premature deaths with proportions including cardiovascular
disease in 17.9 million people each year, cancer (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1
million), and diabetes (2.0 million). This condition proves that degenerative diseases contribute
significantly to the burden of health development (Aryastami & Tarigan, 2017).
So far, degenerative diseases are only often associated with age factors, even though
degenerative diseases are also caused by a combination of lifestyle and environmental factors.
Unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, and increased stress are the main internal
triggers. Meanwhile, external exposures such as pollution, ultraviolet rays, and cigarette smoke
also contribute. The interaction between these factors increases the production of free radicals
in the body, which is one of the biggest contributors to the occurrence of degenerative diseases
(Fandinata & Ernawati, 2020; Fatihaturahmi et al., 2023). Free radicals are unstable and highly
reactive molecules because they contain unpaired electrons (Handayani et al., 2020). This high
reactivity causes the molecule to attack surrounding molecules such as proteins, lipids,
carbohydrates, and DNA to achieve stability. As a result, the molecule being attacked loses its
electrons and turns into the free radicals themselves (Phaniendra et al., 2015). This reaction
occurs continuously in the body resulting in the accumulation of free radicals that cause
oxidative stress (Mulianto, 2020). Oxidative stress contributes significantly to many types of
diseases (Lobo et al., 2014). Compounds that can stop the chain reaction caused by these free
radicals are antioxidants (Manongko et al., 2020).
Antioxidants are compounds that have the ability to stop oxidation reactions by supplying
electrons, binding free radicals and reactive molecules to prevent cell damage (Hidayah et al.,
2021). Naturally, the body produces enzymatic endogenous antioxidants such as glutathione
peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (March, 2020). However,
the body's natural antioxidants alone are not enough to neutralize free radicals so they do not
completely prevent cell damage. Therefore, the body needs additional antioxidants from the
outside (Manongko et al., 2020). According to Cömert et al. (2020) and Sies (2019) Other
antioxidants can be found in foodstuffs, including E (α-tocopherols), vitamin C (ascorbic acid),
and β-carotene as well as secondary metabolic compounds such as phenolic compounds,
flavonoids, and organic acids from plants (Cömert et al., 2020; Sies et al., 2017). Testing of
antioxidant activity in plants is generally carried out using DPPH and FRAP methods
(Nugraheni et al., 2024). As a country rich in biodiversity in the world, Indonesia has great
potential in the development of natural medicines. One of Indonesia's biological natural
resources is the Chrysanthemum plant (Chrysanthemum). Chrysanthemums are known as a
type of flowering plant with various colors that are commonly grown as ornamental plants
(Wijayanti et al., 2023). In North Sulawesi, especially Tomohon City, chrysanthemums are the
most cultivated ornamental plants. In addition to its aesthetic value, chrysanthemums also have
the potential as a traditional medicine, including as an antioxidant (Nayoan et al., 2023).
According to research conducted by Mahera & Firdausia, (2023) Regarding the
Antioxidant Activity Test of Chrysanthemum Flower Ethanol Extract (Chrysanthemum