Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity and Determination of Phenol and Flavonoids in Hexane Extract of Aerial Plants Descurainia Sophia and Fumaria vaillantii

Free radicals and oxidative stress caused by them cause extensive disorders in the body. One of the solutions to eliminate free radicals and the prevention of their complications is the use of natural antioxidants. Plants contain significant amounts of phenol and flavonoids that are scattered throughout parts of the plant and give the plants anti-oxidant properties. Although, the antioxidant properties of the Descurainia Sophia and Fumaria vaillantii were reported, however, no reports have been made on the organoleptic characteristics of the antioxidant properties of these herbs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant properties and determine the amount of total phenol and flavonoids in the aerial organs of the two plants. DPPH scavenging and iron reduction tests were used to evaluate anti-oxidant properties. The phenol and flavonoid content of hexane extract from the aerial organs, with considerable anti-oxidant properties were determined by conventional tests. A standard control was used for each of the tests and each assay was performed for each organ with three replications. The obtained results and statistical analyzes showed that the hexane extract of Descurainia’s flower, and Fumaria’s leaf had high content of phenol and flavonoid and also, due to lower EC50 values, had more free radical inhibitory power. Therefore, the organs had a significant antioxidant activity compared to other air organs. With these anti-oxidative studies and tests, these two organs can be used as an additive or supplement to provide natural antioxidants to the body.