Diversity in antioxidant properties and mineral contents of Allium paradoxum in the Hyrcanian forests, Northern Iran

Abstract

Khodadadi S, Nejadsattari T, Naqinezhad A, Ebrahimzadeh MA. 2015. Diversity in antioxidant properties and mineral
contents of Allium paradoxum in the Hyrcanian forests, Northern Iran. Biodiversitas 16: 281-287. The knowledge about variation of
antioxidant properties from local medicinal plant can be achieved by investigating all natural habitats of it. To reach this goal, a
comprehensive survey on eight populations of Allium paradoxum (M. B.) G. Don, was conducted in the Hyrcanian forests. A.
paradoxum (Amaryllidaceae) is a perennial, local plant, native to the northern Iran. Different parts of it, is largely used in food
preparation and traditional medicine. Plants were collected randomly from different altitudes and forest sites of Iranian northern
provinces ranging from west to east (Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan Provinces). Samples were divided into aerial and bulbous parts.
The antioxidant activities of the extracts were investigated with 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power assays.
Total flavonoid content was determined by a colorimetric aluminum chloride method. The highest antioxidant activities and flavonoid
contents in A. paradoxum were related to Varaki and Zarinabad sites (Mazandaran province) with relatively higher humidity, in the
central part of the Hyrcanian area and in altitudinal range between 462-860 m asl. The content of total phenolics in the extracts was
determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method, and calculated as gallic acid equivalents (GAE). With respect to total
phenolic contents, aerial parts of plants of Jahannama, the lowest elevation site (Golestan province), had the highest amount. Elemental
composition (Fe++, Mn++) and total sulphur were also determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and digestion method,
respectively. Higher contents of two elements, particularly Fe, and total sulphur can be found in bulbous part of Zarinabad and Kiasar
populations (Mazandaran province) compared to other sites. The results of the current study indicated that there is a remarkable and
significant variation of antioxidant activities among different studied populations of A. paradoxum in the Hyrcanian forests.