CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TITHONIA DIVERSIFOLIA USING METHANOL EXTRACT

Plants have been used as medicines throughout history. Medicinal plants are considered as rich resources of ingredients which can be used in drug development and synthesis. Medicinal plants are widely and successfully used on every continent. Tithonia diversifolia, commonly known as Mexican sunflower, is widely recognized for its medicinal properties. This study explores the chemical composition and antioxidant potential of its methanolic leaf extract. The UV absorption spectrum of Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower) shows significant absorption between 200-290 nm, primarily in the UV-C and UV-B regions, with the highest absorbance (3.628) occurring at 420 nm. The strong absorption in these ranges suggests protective compounds against UV-induced damage. A graph illustrates that as wavelength increases beyond 420 nm, absorbance decreases, indicating weaker light absorption in the visible spectrum. Additionally, both a standard inhibitor and Kojic Acid exhibit increased enzyme inhibition over time, with Kojic Acid showing a higher percentage of inhibition, highlighting its potential as a more effective skin-lightening agent.