Phytochemical and antioxidant analysis of Loranthus europaeus fruits

Abstract

Introduction: The Loranthaceae family is one of the most valuable families of medicinal plants in many nations such as Iran and the Mediterranean with traditional uses which are reported in other studies. The Loranthus genus has 195 species worldwide, including L. europaeus genus with the name Darwash in Iran, and is considered as one of the most important medical plant genera with valuable properties. …….. Aim: According to the reported clinical effects of other species of this genus, it is rational to study and assay the chemical composition and determine the antioxidant activity of the L. europaeus fruits. …. Materials and Methods: Dry powder of the fruits of L. europaeus were extracted via Soxhlet method using petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol solvents, respectively. Further isolations of methanol extract were done by C18 Sep-Pak. Isolation of the fractions with a variety of chromatography methods led to the separation of 2 compounds. The chemical structure of compounds was determined through spectral analysis from NMR with using of DMSO. Water-distilled essential oil was extracted via Clevenger apparatus and the content was analyzed by GC-MS apparatus. Subsequently, the antioxidant property of the extracts and fractions was evaluated. …..Results: Phytochemical analysis of the methanol extract of L. europaeus fruits led to isolation of 2 compounds, which had flavonoid structures. Essential oil analysis also led to the identification of 17 compounds, mostly sesquiterpenes. Methanol extract had significant antioxidant properties with RC50 of 104/265 µg/mL. ….Conclusion: Phytochemical analysis of L. europaeus fruits revealed the presence of flavonoid and phenolic compounds with significant antioxidant effect.