EVALUATION OF THE ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS AND CYTOTOXIC POTENTIAL OF SELECTED HERBS USED IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
B. Jovanova* and T. K. Panovska
Department of Toxicology, Institute of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sts. Cyril and Methodius University, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
*Corresponding author’s e-mail: blagicajovanova13@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The present study aims to investigate the bioactive properties of five aromatic herbs: Anethum graveolens L., Artemisia dracunculus L., Artemisia vulgaris L., Satureja hortensis L. and Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews. Polyphenolic and flavonoid content were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method and AlCl3 method, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assay, FRAP assay, NSSOH and SSOH assay. Additionally, their cytotoxic potential was investigated by performing the Brine shrimp lethality assay. Obtained results revealed that all samples contain significant amount of phenolic compounds, with Artemisia dracunculus and Satureja hortensis showing highest concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids. Moreover, these extracts also demonstrated strong radical scavenging ability and reducing capacity. Differences between IC50 values in the NSSOH and SSOH assays revealed that Artemisia dracunculus also demonstrated prominent chelating properties. According the Brine shrimp lethality assay, Artemisia vulgaris showed strong cytotoxicity against the Artemia larvae, while Artemisia dracunculus and Satureja hortensis showed moderate cytotoxic potential.
Overall, Artemisia vulgaris, Artemisia dracunculus and Satureja hortensis could be considered as potential sources of biologically active phytochemicals for their further utilization in prevention from many chronic conditions based on oxidative stress.
Keywords: commercial herbs, antioxidant activity, cytotoxic potential, brine shrimp lethality assay.
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