Antioxidant and antihaemolytic activities of Ferula foetida regel (Umbelliferae).

Objectives: The Ferula genus (Umbelliferae) is a rich source of gum-resin and is much utilized in folklore medicine. This study is designed to examine antioxidant and antihaemolytic activities of Ferula foetida regel flower, stem and leaf extracts. Materials and Methods: 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH), nitric oxide and H₂O₂ scavenging activities, Fe²⁺ chelating ability, reducing power and hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid peroxidation were used to evaluate antioxidant activities. Antihaemolytic activity was evaluated by H₂O₂ induced hemolysis in rat erythrocyte. Total phenolic compounds were determined as gallic acid equivalents and total flavonoid contents were calculated as quercetin equivalents from a calibration curve. Results: The leaf aqueous-ethanol extract showed the highest activity in DPPH radical scavenging activity. All extracts showed weak nitric oxide scavenging activity. The stem extract had better activity in nitric oxide scavenging model than the other extracts (IC₅₀ = 896.9 ± 21.9 µg ml^-1), but it was not comparable to quercetin (p<0.001). The leaf extract exhibited better H₂O₂ scavenging and Fe²⁺ chelating activity than the other parts. The extracts exhibited good antioxidant activity in linoleic acid peroxidation test but were not comparable to vitamin C (p<0.001). Extracts showed weak reducing power activity. The stem extract showed better antihaemolytic activity than the flower and leaf. The flower extract had higher phenolic contents. The extracts exhibited different levels of antioxidant and antihaemolytic activities in all tested models. Conclusions: This study showed remarkable antioxidant and antihemolytic activities in Ferula foetida. Biological effects may be attributed to the presence of phenols and flavonoids in the extract. It is very promising for further biochemical experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]