Antioxidative properties and phytochemical composition of Ballota nigra infusion

The ability of Ballota nigra (Lamiaceae) infusion to act as a scavenger of DPPH radical, reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hypochlorous acid) and nitric oxide was investigated. The tested infusion mainly exhibited a potent scavenging effect on DPPH, nitric oxide and superoxide radicals. In hydroxyl radical assay a potent pro-oxidant activity was noticed. No effect was found against hypochlorous acid. A phytochemical study was also undertaken, and seven phenolic compounds (chlorogenic, caffeic and caffeoylmalic acids, ballotetroside, forsythoside B, verbascoside and allysonoside) and eight organic acids (oxalic, aconitic, citric, ascorbic, malic, quinic, shikimic and fumaric acids) were identified and quantified by HPLC/DAD and HPLC/UV, respectively. Forsythoside B and quinic acid were revealed to be the main compounds in this infusion.