In vitro antioxidant activity and tannin content of Echium italicum L.

Echium italicum L., Pale Viper's-bugloss, Italian Viper's bugloss (Boraginaceae) is a perennial, shrub-like plant, inhabiting thermophilic, sandy grounds of the submediteranian area [1]. Its leaves are used as seasoning; apiarists use the plant to make uniquely flavoured honey [2]; flowers are used as an „anti-stress“, tranquilizer, and energizer drink, fighting common cold and bronchitis [3]. It is also being used for snake bites and as an aphrodisiac [4]. Roots of E. italicum has long been used for its strong anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects [5]. In previous investigations, total phenolic and flavonoid content of this plant were reported, as well as reducing power and chelating ability [6]. In order to complete the information on its antioxidant properties, four assays were carried out using methanolic extract of aerial parts of the plant: total antioxidant capacity, DPPH free radical scavenging, the inhibitory activity toward lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Results are given table below as mean±SD. Contents of condensed tannins and gallotannins were found to be 21.49 and 28.85mg gallic acid/g, respectively. Total antioxidant capacity was 112,92µg ascorbic acid/g.

Table 1: Antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of E. italicum L.

	IC50 (µg/mL)
	DPPH free radical scavenging	Inhibitory activity toward lipid peroxidation	Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity
E. italicum L.	164,33±1.05	102,96±0.96	150,02±1.53
Ascorbic acid	6.05±0. 25	>1000	160,55
BHT	15.61±1.31	1.00±0.03	33,92
a-Tocopherol	–	0.48±0.02	–

Acknowledgements: Ministry of Science, Republic of Serbia (project No. 142025)

References: 1. Josifovic, M. (1974) Flora Sr. Srbije. SANU. Beograd.

2. 9. Wright, C.A. (2001) Mediterranean vegetables. Harvard Common Press. Boston.

3. Moallem SA, Niapour M (2008) Journ. Etnopharmacol.117(1): 108–114.

4. Al-Qur S (2008) Journ Nat Prod 1: 10–26.

5. Albreht A et al. (2009) Journal of Chromatography A, 1216: 3156–3162.

6. Niciforovic, N. et al. (2009) Planta Medica Abstracts 75 (9):1055.