ABSTRACT

          BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Stachys inflata Benth. is used as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent in traditional medicine in most mountain villages of Golestan province. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, ethnopharmacological and phytochemical properties of extract from different parts of S. inflata, collected from Chahar Bagh Mountain.

         METHODS: Flowering branches and root of the plant were collected from Chahar Bagh Mountain (2100 m) in July 2013. At the same time, the most important information about traditional uses of the plant (ethnopharmacology) was recorded by questioning local people. Phytochemical evaluation (total phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanins content) of ethanolic extract of plant organs was done using spectrophotometry and folin-ciocalteu. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by DPPH test. P ≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

       RESULTS: The amount of chemical compounds in the extract of flowering branches and root extract was significantly different. The total phenolic (129.96 ± 5.6 mgGAE/g), flavonoid (29.62 ± 1.4 mgQUE/g) and anthocyanin (0.021 ± 0.001 µg/g) content in the extract of aerial parts of the plant was approximately 1.5 to 3 times higher than those in the root. Due to higher production of active compounds, the antioxidant activity of the aerial parts’ extract showed  a greater potential in free radical scavenging (IC₅₀= 76.33 ± 4.2 µg/ml) compared to the root extract.

        CONCLUSION: Phytochemical findings and antioxidant activity of the extract of aerial parts of the plant in free radical scavenging, confirm the traditional applications of this plant as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent in treatment of rheumatism, wounds, burns and diarrhea. It is recommended that further evaluation of the plant’s traditional applications be conducted in vivo and in vitro.