Determination of phenolic content and evaluation of antioxidant activity in the aqueous extract of Cachrys sicula L.

Abstract

Cachrys sicula L. (Apiaceae) is a perennial aromatic plant endemic to the Mediterranean basin, which holds significant medicinal importance in Algeria. The objective of this study is to explore the chemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant activity of the aerial parts of the plant. The phytochemical screening revealed a weak presence of polyphenols in the aqueous extract prepared by decoction, with a total absence of flavonoids, saponins, quinones, anthraquinones, and terpenes. Total polyphenols colorimetric determination was carried out using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, where the extract showed a content of 55.66 ± 4.53 µg GAE/mg of extract. As regards to flavonoids, it was estimated using the aluminum trichloride method (AlCl3); the results revealed contents of 2.55 ± 0.41 µg QE/mg of extract. Condensed tannins were estimated by the vanillin method, showing 42.77 ± 6.69 µg CE/mg of extract. Antioxidant activities were evaluated in vitro by three different methods; the extract exhibited a radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 69.43 ± 1.35 µg/mL in the DPPH assay. In the TAC assay, the extract recorded an inhibition rate of 47.09 ± 3.93% relative to the quercetin standard and 38.52 ± 3.21 % relative to the ascorbic acid standard. The FRAP assay also showed activity expressed as an EC50 of 794.34± 7.01µg/mL. The results of this study suggest that the plant. Cachrys sicula L. has interesting biological effects that can be valued in the pharmaceutical industries.