EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF AGASTACHE FOENICULUM AND AGASTACHE RUGOSA EXTRACTS

Antioxidant potential of leaves and flower extracts of Agastache foeniculum and Agastache rugosa were determined by the DPPH. (free radicals scavenging activity) and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) assays, total phenols and flavonoids content, and the level of water-soluble (WS-AOC) and lipid soluble antioxidant capacity (LS-AOC), expressed as equivalents of ascorbate and cc-tocopherol, respectively. The antioxidant capacity evaluated in terms of DPPH and FRAP assay was higher in the leaves and lower in the flowers. Our study clearly indicated that the extracts of flowers and leaves of A. foeniculum and A. rugosa exhibited a high content of flavonoids which was significantly correlated with the DPPH radical scavenging activity. Therefore, both Agastache species could be considered to be a good source of water-soluble/lipid-soluble antioxidants and phenolic compounds.