Seasonal variations that influence phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of Lonicera quinquelocularis Sharma Jyoti1, Thakur Anil Kumar2,*, Singh Kamal Jit1,** 1Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014, Chandigarh, India 2Department of Botany, Rajkiya Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Shimla-171001, Himachal Pradesh, India *Corresponding authors e-mail: anilthakur2001@gmail.com
**kamal@pu.ac.in
Online published on 29 June, 2023. Abstract Lonicera quinquelocularis Hardwicke, commonly known as ‘Translucent Honeysuckle’ from Caprifoliaceae family, is a shrub used for medicinal purpose, especially in wound healing. Present study, is aimed at correlating the seasonal variations in phytochemical content and antioxidative behavior of the plant. Samples were collected during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons of the year. It was noticed that phenolics and flavonoids of plant stem and tannins in the leaves enhanced appreciably in both monsoon periods. Observations also corroborated with enhanced antioxidant activities, DPPH based IC50value, and percentage efficacy improvement 8.7% in leaves and 43.4% in shoots was seen during that time. Seasonal variations, especially the temperature change (β10°C) could be the possible cause of enhanced phytochemicals. Since, these metabolites have a stronger capacity to donate electrons or hydrogen atoms including hydroxyl groups facilitating free radical scavenging. As a result of the increased antioxidant activity, the stem was ideal for harvesting the medicinal benefits of the plant during the post-monsoon season. Top Keywords Translucent honeysuckle, Reactive oxygen species, Light stress, Moisture, Biological activity. Top |