Flavonoids from aerial part of Algerian Ajuga iva (L.) schreb.: The HPLC-UV analysis and Antioxidant capacity

The study deals with the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of extracts from the aerial part of Algerian Ajuga iva. Extraction of flavonoids was carried out by 85% of methanol, then the crude extract was successively separated with ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. The in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, reducing power, and thiobarbituric acid reacting substances assays. Extracts are subject to HPLC-UV analysis. The average total phenol contents of extracts vary between 3.87 ± 0.17 and 149.74 ± 3.94 (gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry extract). Furthermore, tested extracts exhibited a broad range of flavonoid contents varying from 1.54 ± 0.09 to 41.18 ± 1.03 (catechin equivalent per gram of dry extract). Butanol and ethyl acetate fractions displayed the highest antioxidant activity. A good correlation between the phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant activity was observed. Rutin, caffeic acid, quercetin, p-coumaric acid, luteolin, and cinnamic acid were present in the extracts. The plant could be a potential source of antioxidant agents.