Phytochemical analysis of Anthriscus nemorosa and evaluation of its biological activities

Abstract

Introduction: The genus Anthriscus from Apiaceae family comprises 3 species in Iran. Some of the biological activities of the speicies of this genus such as anti-prolifrative, analgesic and anti-inflammatory were attributed to the presence of lignans, flavonoids, phenyl propanoid compounds. Scope: This investigation was performed in order to analyze the chemical composition of A. nemorosa and evaluation of its anti-oxidant and anti-malarial properties. Method and Materials: : The aerial parts of A. nemorosa were successively extracted using n-hexan, dichloromethane and methanol solvents by Soxhlet apparatus. Dried methanolic extract was subjected to C18Sep-Pak fractionation using a step gradient of MeOH-Water. Further purification of the fractions by using preparative reversed phase HPLC yielded 10 compounds. Structure elucidation of these compounds, was accomplished by using 1HNMR and 13CNMR methods. The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger. The composition of essential oil was determined by GC-MS. Free-radical scavenging activity, total phenol and total flavonoid contents of extracts and fractions were determined using DPPH radicals, Folin-ciocalteu and AlCl3 reagents, respectively. Anti-malarial activity of the extracts was determined based on heme crystallization method. Results: Phytochemical study of methanolic extract of A. nemorosa yielded 10 compounds. The study on the composition of the essential oil yielded 57 compounds which were mainly composed of terpenoids. The MeOH extract of the herb showed moderate free-radical scavenging activity. In regards to fractions, 40%, and 60% fraction showed the most potent antioxidant activities as well as high phenol and flavonoid contents. None of the extracts showed anti-malarial activity. Conclusion: Overally, biological activities of this herb might be due to the presence of phenolic derivatives which were identified in methanolic extract.