A Comparative Study of Different Solvents on the Toxic and Antioxidant Properties of Digitalis ferruginea L. subsp. ferruginea

Abstract

Digitalis plants have different biological actions, including antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In addition, some members of this genus are used in traditional Turkish medicine as diuretics and tonics. The purpose of the present study is to compare the antioxidant, toxic activity and phenolic profile of two extracts of D. ferruginea L. subsp. ferruginea. The radical scavenging capacities in the hydromethanolic extract were higher than the hydroethanolic extract. The same extract was effective in total antioxidant (?-carotene, 83.75% and phosphomolybdenum 111.5 µg/mg) and metal chelating activities. The hydromethanolic extract (75.91 mgGAEs/g) exhibited higher phenolic content than hydroethanolic extract (70 mgGAEs/g). There were no statistical differences between the flavonoid and tannin contents of the extracts. The HPLC results determined major phenolics: 2,5 dihydroxybenzoic, vanillic and caffeic acid. In addition, this plant is also rich in polyphenolic content as well as toxic activity. The present data could provide significant information regarding its potential use in the pharmaceutical industry. Keywords: Digitalis ferruginea L. subsp. ferruginea; HPLC; Toxicity; Antioxidant capacity