Abstract: Opisthopappus taihangensis (Ling) Shih as tea or medicine was found to possess superior efficacy than Dendranthema indicum by people in place of their origin.Alcoholic extracts of different organs of O.taihangensis and D.indicum were analyzed for their antioxidant capacities,UV-Vis spectral characteristics and the relationship between antioxidant capacity and total polyphenols and flavonoids contents.Correlation coefficients were calculated to characterize the relationship between antioxidant capacities and total polyphenols and flavonoids contents.The results showed that alcoholic extracts of different organs of O.taihangensis and D.indicum exhibited antioxidant activities related with the extraction temperatures and dosage.Alcoholic extracts of different organs of O.taihangensis showed stronger antioxidant activities and higher UV-Vis absorbance values and total polyphenols and flavonoid contents than that of D.indicum. Furthermore,the antioxidant activities were significantly correlated with total polyphenols and flavonoid contents.Hence,it was concluded that O.taihangensis was better for healthpromoting than D.Indicum, and huge utilization potential was expected from the whole plant of O.taihangensis.

Key words: Opisthopappus taihangensis, Dendranthema indicum, different organs, alcoholic extracts, antioxidant activity