Phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of the aqueous extracts of Malva sylvestris L. and Malva pseudolavatera Webb & Berthel.

Context: Malva spp. have been widely used in the world as traditional remedies. In Ecuadorian markers Malva sylvestris and Malva pseudolavatera are the species most commercialized. However, the scientific information about M. pseudolavatera is little. Aims: To determine the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of the aqueous extracts of the leaves of both species. Methods: Aqueous extracts were partitioned with butanol and the fractions obtained were analyzed by GC/MS. Total extracts were evaluated as antioxidants using FRAP, DPPH and ABTS assays. Results: Differences in the chemical composition were found between the extracts. Both extracts showed the presence of polysaccharides, phenolic acids and fatty acids, but in M. sylvestris were identified polyols, which there was not observed in M. pseudolavatera. The aqueous extracts showed free radical scavenging and ferric reducing power capacities in vitro assays, being M. sylvestris the most promissory antioxidant, possibly due to the presence of polyols in the extract. In the present research were reported 39 phytochemical compounds by first time for the specie M. pseudolavatera. Conclusions: Aqueous extracts of the leaves of M. sylvestris and M. pseudolavatera showed antioxidant capacity associated with the presence of phenolic acids, polysaccharides and flavonoids in the extracts. Keywords: antioxidant; gas chromatography; Malva pseudolavatera; Malva sylvestris; phytochemicals