Planta Med 2011; 77 - PM134
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282892

Total Phenols, Antioxidant potential and Antimicrobial Activity of the Methanolic Extracts of Ephedra sarcocarpa

M Farjam 1, A Rustaiyan 2, AR Jassbi 3, K Javidnia 3
  • 1Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad Branch, Department of Chemistry, Firoozabad, Iran.
  • 2Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Department of Chemistry, Tehran, Iran.
  • 3Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, iran.

The antioxidant activities of the methanolic extracts of Ephedra sarcocarpa Aitch. & Hemsl. growing in Iran was evaluated using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) [1] and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) [2] free radical scavenging assays.FRAP values 2.1 mmol eq quercetin/g extracts, and IC50 values in the DPPH assay 4.6mg/mL. this plant showed the high antioxidant activities.this plant showed the high antioxidant activities. FRAP and DPPH assay results showed good correlations with the total phenolic contents [3] of the plants, measured by the Folin-Ciocalteau assay.(r2=0.920and 0.893, respectively, p<0.0001).

The antimicrobial capacity [4] was screened against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. the extract inhibited the growth of Gram-negative bacteria, being pseudomonas aeroginosa the most susceptible one with MIC of 16µg/mL for the extract.The results obtained indicate that E.sarcocarpa may become important in the obtainment of a noticeable source of compounds with health protective potential and antimicrobial activity.

Keywords: Antioxidant(s), FRAP, DPPH, Total phenol, Antimicrobial, Ephedra sarcocarpa

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2. Hwang BY et al. (2001) Journal of Natural Products 64: 82–4.

3. Singleton VL, Rossi JA (1965) American Journal of Enology and Viticulture 16: 144–158.

4. Bauer AW, Kirby WMM, Sherries JC, Turck M (1966) American Journal of Clinical Pathology 45: 493–496.