Evaluation of Antioxidant Components and Antioxidant Activity of Carthamus Caeruleus L.

The use of plant extracts is increasingly recognized with the aim of valorizing new local natural resources. To this end, Carthamus caeruleus L. collected in the Tizi-ouzou region was examined; this wild plant traditionally used for medicinal purposes has recently gained in importance thanks to its characteristic composition. Ethanolic and hydro-ethanolic extracts of Carthamus roots were analyzed for their phenolic profile (i.e. total polyphenols and flavonoids) by spectrophotometric assay; as well as their antioxidant properties, which were measured by DPPH free radical scavenging method. Polyphenols in the extract were 102.5 and 12.5 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, while flavonoids were 8.3 and 23.4 mg quercetin equaoivalent/g of ethanolic and hydro-ethanolic extracts respectively. On the other hand, the antioxidant capacity test by DPPH free radical scavenging method revealed a medium inhibitory effect with an IC50 equal to 29,049 μg/ml for ethanol-water extract.