Phytochemical and anti oxidative activities of Potentilla reptans

Abstract

Introduction: Genus Potentilla (Rosaceae) comprises more than 300 species dispersed in Europe, Turkey, Russa, Afqanistan, Iraq and Northern Afriqa, used as a remedy for inflammation, wound healing, different types of cancer, bacterial, fungal and viral infections and diarrhea. So far a few studies have been performed on essential oils and biological activities of P.reptans. In this study, the chemical composition and bioactivity of Potentilla reptans have been investigated. Scope: Regarding the therapeutic effects of reported metabolites from this family, it seems to be rational to start phytochemical study on this genus. Method And Materials: The aerial parts of this species were extracted using n-hexan, dichloromethane and methanol 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 preparative reversed phase HPLC yielded 2 compounds. Structure elucidation for these compounds, was accomplished by using HNMR method. The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation in a Clevenger extractor. 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. Results: Phytochemical study on methanolic extract of this plant yielded two flavonoids structure. The study on the composition of the essential oil yielded 24 compounds which were mainly composed of oxygenated monoterpenes and linear aliphatic aldehydes. The MeOH extract of this plant showed strong free-radical scavenging activity whereas the n-hexane and dichloromethane extracts displayed weak to moderate level of antioxidant activity. In regards to fractions, 40% and 20% MeOH-Water fractions showed the most potent antioxidant activity as well as high phenol and flavonoid contents. Conclusion: Presence of phenolic derivatives especially flavonoids seem to be an important antioxidant compounds in methanolic extract and might be useful in inflammatory conditions, cancer prevention and oxidative stresses.