Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Activity and Ecological Requirements of Capparis spinosa L. in Golestan and Semnan Provinces (North of Iran)

Abstract

Natural antioxidants have an important role against damage by ROS. This research had been carried out about ecological characters, phytochemical and antioxidant activity of <em>Capparis spinosa</em> L. in Semnan and Golestan province. So in much field observation, different parts of C.spinosa were collected from two natural habitats in Golestan (200 m) and Semnan province (2100 m) during August to September 2011. Methanolic extracts were obtained by maceration, TP (total phenol) and TF (Total flavonoid) were determined by spectro photometrically method and the antioxidant capacity were obtained by TAC, RP and DPPH methods. Results showed that <em>Capparis spinosa</em> L. (Kabar) is an edible plant which was growing wild in clay loam to sandy clay loam soils. In both regions TF and TP content in buds and flowers extracts were highest, especially in 2100 m. Antioxidant activity of buds and flower extracts (IC50) were the highest (1.27±0.1, 4.66±0.42 μg/ml) in 2100 m, especially in DPPH method and the lowest ‎ content belongs to fruit extract in 200m. These data will be confirmed the traditional uses of <em>C. spinosa</em> as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory to treat of many current ailments.