Antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of Stachys aucheri endemic plant to Persia

Oxidation is essential to many living organisms for the production of energy to fuel biological processes. However, oxygen-centered free radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are continuously, produced in vivo, result in cell death and tissue damage. Anti-oxidants are vital substances which possess the ability to protect the body from damage caused by free radical induced oxidative stress ¹. Hence, compounds especially from natural sources capable of protecting against ROS mediated damage may have potential application in prevention and/or curing of diseases. The phenolic compounds in herbs act as antioxidants due to their redox properties. According to the studiese about antioxidant capacity of others species of Stachys, Stachys aucheri Benth. that has not yet been studied was choosed. Total extract of aerial parts was tested by FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) and DPPH² (1,1-diphenyl -2-picrylhydrazyl) methods. Quantitation of total phenolic content, Folin Ciocalteu method was used. DPPH IC₅₀ (an antioxidant concentration which is capable to inhibit 50% of generated DPPH free radicals) in DPPH method and, EC1 (antioxidant concentration which can change the absorption equal to one mM of Fe²⁺) in FRAP method and, Total phenolic (equal mg gallic acid) per 100g herb were used for expression of the results. IC₅₀ of hydroalcoholic extract was1.20mg/ml and EC1, was 14.21 mmol Fe ²⁺ equal per 100g of herb powder. Results show that this plant is good antioxidant candidate to be used in Food industry and as neutriceutical.

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