The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of fatty acids and sterols of Eryngium caucasicum Trautv and Caucalis platycarpos L

Inflammation and oxidative related disorders consist the most important public health threating diseases. This study investigates the fatty acid and sterol contents of E. caucasicum and C. platycarpos, which are part of the nutrition culture of the Caspian region. Their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials are also tested with regard to preparing supplemental foods. The fatty acid and sterol contents are quantified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC MS), and are identified by comparison to standard components. All fractions were tested for free radical scavenging properties with respect to 1, 1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), phosphomolybdenum, 2, 2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulphonic acid radical cation(ABTS), cupric ion reducing activity (CUPRAC), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and metal chelating activity on ferrous ions methods. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of the fatty acid and sterol fractions of E. caucasicum and C. platycarpos were assayed by the human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization method. The total oil content of these plants was 18.21% and 7.39%, respectively, with E. caucasicum yielding a higher percentage of oil. Stigmastanol (21.35%) and β-sitosterol (12.19%) constituted the predominant sterols in E. caucasicum and C. platycarpos, respectively.