Antioxidant activity of hydroalcholic extract of Ferula gummosa Boiss roots
Objectives: Ferula gummosa Boiss is native to central Asia. This plant has traditionally been used in the treatment of many diseases. The antihypoxic and antioxi- dant activities of Ferula gummosa roots were investigated. Material and Methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2- picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH), nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities, Fe 2+ chelating ability, reducing power and hemoglo- bin-induced linoleic acid peroxidation were used to evaluate antioxidant activities. Antihe- molytic activity was evaluated by H2O2 induced hemolysis in rat erythrocytes. The total amount of phenolic compounds was determined as gal- lic acid equivalents and total flavonoid con- tents were calculated as quercetin equivalents from a calibration curve. Results: The extracts showed moderate an- tioxidant activity in some models. IC50 for DPPH radical-scavenging activity was 579.6±19.4 µg/ml. The extracts showed weak nitric oxide- scavenging activity between 0.1 and 1.6 mg ml -1 but showed good Fe 2+ chelating ability. IC50 was 895.5±24.1 µg/ml. The extract also ex- hibited low antioxidant activity in the linoleic acid model but were capable of scavenging hydrogen peroxide in a concentration depen- dent manner. Tested extract show moderate activity in H2O2 induced hemolysis in rat ery- throcytes which was not comparable with vita- min C. Conclusions: F. gummosa Boiss root showed different level antioxidant and antihemolytic ac- tivities. Biological effects may be attributed, at least in part, to the presence of phenols and flavonoids in the extract.