Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

• Muna Hasson Saoudi ¹
• Ihab Abbas Taher ²

¹ Chemistry Department, College of Science, Al-Muthanna University, Iraq

² College of Medicine, Al Muthanna University, Iraq

Abstract

Ephedra alata is one of the natural plants grow in AL-Salman Desert in AL-Muthana Governorate, Iraq and limited used in folk medicine. The most significance phytochemical constituents in plants are compounds considered antioxidants such as polyphenols. In general, the extraction conditions involving the technique employed and solvent type, greatly affect the anti-oxidant contents of herbal plants. The study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of some solvents like distilled water and other organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol, and acetone as the extraction solvents on efficiency, extraction yield, and antioxidant activity as well as determine the total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoids, and total tannins content of Ephedra alata leaves extracts. Overall the four different extracts obtained, the ethanol solvent exhibited the highest yield extraction, whereas methanol extract showed both higher antioxidant activity and total phenol content (TPC). Acetone showed lower antioxidant capacity and TPC compared with the three extracts. The obtained results are demonstrated that an increased phenolic content in Ephedra alata leaves extracts contributes to increase their antioxidant efficiency. Based on toxicity assessments, LD₅₀ was measured (1150 mg/kg BW), this suggests the plant’s safety. 

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

• Ephedra alata
• antioxidant capacity
• total polyphenols

Main Subjects

• Chemistry (Analytical, Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry)
• Natural Products and Agriculture