ABSTRACT:
Objective: To investigate the antioxidant activity of extracts of aerial parts of Gladiolus segetum and determination of their total phenolics and flavonoids content. Material and methods: A detailed study was performed on the antioxidant activity of the extracts of Gladiolus Segetum (GS) by employing established in vitro systems using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacity, the ß-carotene-linoleic acid assay, CUPRAC, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and metal chelation. Total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and flavonoids was also determined by the trichloroaluminum method. Results: The total phenolic contents (TPC) (64, 96±1,08 mg GAE/g extract) of methanol extract of GS while total flavonoid contents (TFC) (39,79±2,36 mg QE/g extract) were found significantly higher as compared to other extracts. The EC50 values of methanol extract of GS based on the DPPH (118,29±0,64µg/ml), ABTS (23,76±2,02 µg/ml), ß-carotene (29,67±1,99 µg/ml), CUPRAC (47,34±4,50 µg/ml), FRAP (55,34±0,69 µg/ml) and metal chelation (40,80±1,71 µg/ml) were generally lower showing potential antioxidant properties. Conclusion: Methanolic extract of GS showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid concentrations and strong antioxidant activity. The Gladiolus segetum can be regarded as promising candidates for natural plant sources of antioxidants with high value.