In-Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Total Phenolic Content of Ruta montana L. Extracts

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate in vitro antioxidant activities of Ruta montana L.  extracts. This activity was evaluated by three methods : DPPH (2, 2'-diphenyl- 1- picrylhydrazy), bleaching of β-carotene and chelation of ferrous iron. Results showed that ethyl acetate extract (EAE) represents the highest amount of total polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids with 257,1 ± 0,703µg gallic acid equivalent/mg of extract,  251 ± 1.41 µg tannic acid equivalent /mg of extract,117,4 ± 3,451 µg quercetin equivalents/mg of extract, 139,5 ± 4,107 µg rutin equivalents/mg of extract, respectively. In the DPPH assay, ethyl acetate extract showed the higher scavenging capacity (IC50 = 0.044 ± 0.001 mg/ml) followed by methanol, aqueous and chloroform extract. Whereas, AqE showed the best chelating effect and the best inhibitory capacity of the coupled oxidation of linoleic acid/ β-carotene. Keywords: Ruta montana L; polyphenols; antioxidant activity; free radical scavenging.