Antioxidant Activity of Lallemantia royleana (Benth.) Seed Extract

Lallemantia royleana seeds have been used in Persian traditional medicine during the ages. The seeds are known as “Balngu” in Iran and still are widely used as an ethnomedicine for treatment purposes such as in gastrointestinal disease, kidney and urinary disorders and skin complications. In this study, antioxidant and total phenolic content of L. royleana seeds were investigated. Seeds of L. royleana (50 g) were crushed using a laboratory mill. Ground material (50 g) was extracted by maceration using 500 ml of ethanol-water (80:20). Antioxidant activity was estimated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. In addition, Folin-Ciocalteu method was used to determine the total phenolic content. IC50 value of DPPH scavenging activity was 300 μg/mL. Total phenolic content was 25.3 mg as gallic acid equivalent/g extract. It seems that the phenolic constituents of the seeds are probably responsible for some part of antioxidant activity, while some unsaturated fatty acids (including linoleic and oleic acid) may be responsible for the other part, based on the review of the literature. Due to the limited studies about “Balangu” seed, more scientific surveys may be helpful for clarifying other biological properties of this traditionally important medicinal plant.