Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of aerial parts of Scrophularia atropatana.

Abstract

Objective: The genus Scrophularia is one of the largest genera of the Scrophulariaceae family that about 60 species of this genus grow in Iran. Scrophularia atropatana is an endemic species growing naturally in Iran. Several members of this genus are known to possess medicinal uses as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, cardiovascular effects and diuretic. Scope: Regarding the importance of reported biological effects of isolated compounds from this genus, it seems to be rational to start phytochemical and biological studies on the species growing in the country. Experimental: The aerial parts of the plant was extracted successively using n-hexane, dichlomethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) by soxhlet extraction. Dried MeOH extract was subjected to C18 Sep-Pak fractionation using a step gradient of MeOH-H2O. Further purification of the fractions were performed by preparative reversed-phase HPLC. Structure elucidation for all of these compounds were accomplished by using 1HNMR and 13CNMR. Furthermore, the composition of essential oils of plant were determined by coupled GC/MS. Additionally, antioxidant assays using DPPH was performed on all sampels. Results: Phytochemical study on S. atropatana yielded flavonoids, phenylethanoids and coumaric acid derivatives. GC/MS analysis of the essential oils of S. atropatana led to identification of 58 compounds by terpenoids as the major compounds. Methanolic extract revealed significant antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Presence of phenolic compounds seems to be an important feature in which they may play dominant role, compared to other classes of secondary methabolites. This species contain some phytochemicals responsible for antioxidant activities.