Content and Antioxidant Activity of Components in Different Polar Parts of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae and Their Correlation Analysis

Objective: Using Semen Ziziphi Spinosae as the research subject, the antioxidant activity and chemical composition in various solvent extraction sections were investigated, and their correlation was examined. Methods: Semen Ziziphi Spinosae was extracted by the water decoction method, the extracts were successively extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol, and five polar parts were obtained, including water extract (S1), petroleum ether extract (S2), chloroform extract (S3), ethyl acetate extract (S4), and n-butanol extract (S5). The contents of total phenolic acids, total flavonoids, total polysaccharides, total saponins, jujuboside A and spinosa in different polar parts were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activities of different polar parts were studied by classical in vitro antioxidant and H₂O₂ cell oxidative damage methods. The correlation between six chemical components and antioxidant activities was analyzed by partial least squares regression. Results: Compared with other components in one part, the contents of total polysaccharides in S1, S2, S3 extraction parts were the highest, which were (17.40±0.47), (5.38±0.05) and (5.43±0.01) mg/g, respectively. The content of total flavonoids in S4 and S5 extraction parts was the highest, which were (17.49±0.47) and (23.18±0.20) mg/g, respectively. Each extraction site had good antioxidant activity, and the n-butanol extraction site (S5) had the strongest antioxidant capacity, showing a significant dose-effect relationship. Correlation analysis showed that total saponins (X₂), total polysaccharides (X₃), and spinosa content (X₅) had a great influence on the antioxidant capacity of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae. Conclusion: The n-butanol extract of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae had the strongest antioxidant capacity. The active ingredients with an antioxidant effect were total saponins, total flavonoids, and spinosa. This study would provide a theoretical basis for the in-depth research and development of wild Semen Ziziphi Spinosae as a natural antioxidant and antioxidant food.