Free radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extracts from some Apiacean species

It is well known that naturally occurring substances in higher plants have antioxidant activity. Recently there has been increased interest in free radicals in biological systems and their roles as causative agents in a variety of chronic disorders. Accordingly, attention is being focused on the protective biochemical functions of naturally occurring antioxidants in the cells of the organisms containing them. The aim of this work was investigation of free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) of seven seeds from Apiacean plants (Carum carvi L., Coriandrum sativum L., Cuminum cyminum L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Heracleum persicum Desf. ex Fischer, Pimpinella anisum L. and Trachyspermum copticum (L.) Link). All of these plants are used in food industry and Iranian's traditional Medicine. FRS activities of the ethanolic extracts are evaluated by DPPH method. The total flavonoid content (TFC) in the extracts was determined by AlCl₃ method and calculated as rutin. The results showed that all examined extracts have FRSA activity. The highest scavenging activity was obtained with the extract of P. anisum (IC₅₀ =96.46µg/mL). The largest quantity of the TFC was determined in the extract C. cyminum (FC=56.92µg/mg). However, a favorable correlation was not found between the FRSA and TFC of the extracts. Besides, four different fractions of P. anisum seed (as the most active radical scavenger) were studied for their FRSA. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the strongest activity with inhibition percentage value (IP=93.39%).