Antioxidant properties of hydro-alcoholic extract and extract of nepeta crispa in Lorestan province

Antioxidants protect body against the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. This study aims at comparing the antioxidant properties of hydro-alcoholic extract and extract of Nepeta crispa (from its shoot part). The study was carried out in Lorestan University of Medical Sciences in 2012. Both hydro-alcoholic extract and essence of Nepeta crispa were prepared and antioxidant properties of samples were assessed using different methods. The ability to inhibit free radicals production was measured through 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Total antioxidant capacity was measured using Phosphomolybdate Method. Likewise, phenol and flavonoid compounds of samples were measured using folin-ciocalteu Zishen method. The results showed that the total antioxidant capacity of hydro-alcoholic extract and essence of Nepeta crispa were equal to 0.23±0.12 and 0.82±0.40 Nmol ascorbic acid per gram extract or essence. The phenol content of hydro-alcoholic extract and essence of Nepeta crispa were 254.63±15.75 and 6.94±1.37 mg gallic acid per gram extract or essence, respectively. Flavonoid content of hydro-alcoholic extract and essence of Nepeta crispa were equal to 5.53±0.34 and 0.36±0.06 mg quercetin per gram extract or essence, respectively. IC50 value (concentration that will inhibit 50% of free radicals production), hydro-alcoholic extract, essence of plant and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), as positive control, were equal to 2.09±0.11, 6.05, and 3.88±1 μg/ml, respectively. The results showed that the hydro-alcoholic extract has better antioxidant properties in contrast to essence of Nepeta crispa. As a result, hydro-alcoholic extract of Nepeta crispa is a good and available source of antioxidant compounds which can be used, if useful, in food, pharmaceutical and industrial products.