Journal of North Khorasan

Background& objectives: Accumulation of free oxygen radicals leads to the oxidative tension. This tension will be able to change the enzyme activity, gene expression, calcium release from intracellular deposits on the membrane structure, cell growth, and death. Plants are rich in the case of antioxidant compounds which will be able to  reduce the risk of some chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke by protection of cells and increasing the plasma antioxidant power. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of methanol extract of the Eremostachys labiosiformis (Popov) Knorring plant.

Materials and Methods: Methanol extracts were obtained from E.labiosiformis plant by maceration method following the collection, drying and powdering. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity effect were assessed by free radical scavenging method (DPPH) and MTT (on Vero cell lines), respectively.

Results: The antioxidant capacity of E.labiosiformis methanol extract was0/392 mg/ml. Cytotoxic effect (CC50) during different times of 24, 48 and 72 hours was also 1329/16 µg/ml, 1360/25 µg/ml and 1159/71 µg/ml, respectively.

Conclusion: The comparison results of E.labiosiformis antioxidant properties with ascorbic acid showed that this plant has a good free radical scavenging activity in comparison with the other similar plants. In the case of toxicity assessment, it was shown that the methanol extract of this plant can be safe for use in therapy. However, using the other cell lines as well as in vivo studies are recommended for a definitive conclusion.