Antioxidant potential of various extracts from Ferula szovitsiana in relation to their phenolic content

The objective of this study was to examine the in vitro and in vivo antioxidative and radical scavenging potential of organic extracts of the aerial parts and roots of Ferula szovitsiana DC (Umbelliferae). Extracts were evaluated for ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities in vitro. The influence of the most potent sample was examined in rats for the prevention of plasma and liver lipid peroxidation and activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase ( SOD). The methanol extract was found as the most active in scavenging DPPH radicals and in FRAP and showed the greatest polyphenol content. The phenolic content of the extracts positively correlated with the FRAP values (r(2) = 0.92, p < 0.0001) and DPPH scavenging activity (r(2) = 0.96, p < 0.0001) in vitro. Administration of the methanol extract to rats decreased lipid peroxidation in plasma and liver, whereas FRAP of plasma increased. The activities of CAT and SOD increased in the liver. These results lead to the conclusion that F. szovitsiana extracts show relevant antioxidant activity both in vitro and in vivo by means of scavenging free radicals, reducing cellular lipid peroxidation, increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and total antioxidant power. The higher antioxidant potential of the methanol extract of F. szovitsiana shown in the current study indicates that most of the active constituents of this plant are polar phenolic components.