The screening of Digitalis ferruginea L. subsp. ferruginea for toxic capacities, phenolic constituents, antioxidant properties, mineral elements and proximate analysis

Abstract

The present study outlines the antioxidant and toxic activity, total phenol, flavonoid and tannin content of Digitalis ferruginea?s extracts in addition to evaluating its proximate parameters and mineral elements. Successive extraction was made using different solvents (ethanol, acetone, water). Total phenol content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu?s reagent method and flavonoid was determined by the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. The antioxidant activities were investigated using different assays. The phenolics were determined using HPLC. In addition an evaluation was made of the proximate parameters and mineral elements. The radical scavenging capacities were highest in the water extract. The same extract was effective in total antioxidant activities (?-carotene, 83.75%). The acetone extract demonstrated stronger reducing power and phosphomolybdenum antioxidant activity with 0.52 mg/mL and, 107.43 ?g/mg, respectively. The HPLC results determined major phenolics: rutin and ferulic acid. This plant also have rich in polyphenolic content together with toxic activity and possesses nutrients and mineral elements. As well as demonstrating the good antioxidant activity of D. ferruginea this study suggest that the plant could be of particular interest from a practical perspective, as it is a significant source of potential natural antioxidants that can be used for the prevention of a range of diseases.