Phytochemical analysis,quantitative estimations of total phenols and free radical scavenging activity of Bupleurum subovatum from Jerusalem

Background: the crude extracts from bupleurum subovatum plant were used to screen the presence of secondary metabolic products,to estimate the total phenol content and free radical scavenging activity for the plant extracts. methods: antioxidant activity was evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (dpph) assay,while total phenol content was determined by using folin ciocalteu' s method. result: the phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of phenol,proteins,starch,reducing sugars,tannins,volatile oils,cardiac glycosides,steroid,and huge amounts of saponins. total phenolic content in the methanolic extract was 9.05 mg/g gallic acid. at the same time,methanolic extract showed a mild potential oxygen free radical scavenging ability as well as the ic50 for the plant was 18.60 ± 0.36 μg/ml,which justified its uses in the folkloric medicine and could be further subjected for the isolation of their therapeutic active compounds. conclusion: the results of this study revealed the antioxidant activity and confirmed the therapeutic usage of bupleurum subovatum in the traditional medicine. © 2015 the authors.