Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolics and Total Flavonoids Contents of Syrian Zygophyllum fabago L in vitro

Abstract

The Syrian genus Zygophyllum contain two types: Z. fabago L. and Z. atriplicoides Fisch. et Mey. This study is the first study of the Zygophyllum fabago plant growing in Syria. And the aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extracts of different plant parts (leaves, flowers, Fruits) of Syrian species Z. fabago by studying its ability to inhibit free radicals using 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Phytochemical screening was performed by the known color and precipitated reagents. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods respectively. The results of Phytochemical screening showed exist of flavonoids, tannins, saponins and anthraquinone, but alkaloids exist found only in fruits. The results also showed high content of phenols and flavonoids in different plant parts, where is the highest total phenolic content in flowers (24.759 ± 0.878 mg GAE/g plant), then in leaves (19.303 ± 0.348mg GAE/g plant), and fruits (19.118 ± 0.491mg GAE/g plant). While the total flavonoid content, is higher in leaves (2.866± 0.122 mg QE/g plant) then in flowers (1.869 ± 0.128mg QE/g plant) and fruits (1.775 ± 0.259 mg QE/g plant). Also the study showed that the ethanolic extract of 1.6 mg of flowers has higher activity of DPPH radical scavenging (31.909 ± 1.115%), than the ethanolic extract of 4.0 mg of each leaves and fruits (34.585 ± 0.853%), and (26.722±1.228) respectively. Consequently, Z. fabago would be considered as promising source of antioxidant phytochemicals.