Antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid contents of Chrysopogon aucheri (Boiss.) Stapf
Summary Introduction: Chrysopogon aucheri is a species native to the South of Iran. It is used for the treatment of some oxidative-based disorders. Objective: Due to lack of biological research on C. aucheri, we were prompted to investigate the antioxidant activities of leaf total extract and different sub-fractions for the first time. The phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined in the leaves as the interaction between these components and the antioxidant activity. Methods: The antioxidant effects of total extract and sub-fractions were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Results: Total extract of C. aucheri leaves was found to possess desirable antioxidant activity in vitro in comparison with standard antioxidant BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene). The highest phenolic and flavonoid contents were observed in the methanol sub-fraction. Results showed weak and moderate correlations with phenolics and flavonoids, respectively, and therefore other metabolites of C. aucheri leaves might be responsible for antioxidant activities. Conclusion: The results suggested that C. aucheri leaves possess desirable antioxidant activity when compared with BHT and support the ethnomedicinal claims of the use of the leaves in the management of some oxidative-based diseases.