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Iron chelating activity,
phenol and flavonoid content of some medicinal plants from
Iran
Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh, Fereshteh Pourmorad* and Ahmad
Reza Bekhradnia
Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School
of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences University of Mazandaran,
Sari, Iran.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
pourmoradf@yahoo.com.
Tel: +98 151 3543081-3. Fax: +98 151 3543084.
Accepted
8 August, 2008 |
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Thalassemia major is characterized by anemia, iron overload,
further potentiation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and
damage to major organs, especially the cardiovascular
system. Antioxidant and other supportive therapies protect
red blood cells (RBC) against antioxidant damage. Chelation
therapy reduces iron-related complications and thereby
improves quality of life and overall survival. The poor oral
bioavailability, short plasma half-life and severe side
effects of available chelators are still not optimal. In
this study, iron chelating activity of some medicinal plants
was determined to find alternative sources with lower side
effects in thalassemic patients. Extracts were prepared by
soaking dry material of the selected plant in appropriate
solvent. Phenol and flavonoid content of the extract were
measured by folin ciocalteu and AlCl3 assays.
Phenol content of the extracts varied between 9 - 290 mg/g.
The largest amount of phenolic compounds and highest
chelating activity were found in Mellilotus arvensis.
All extracts contained various amount of flavonoids from 10
to 60 mg/g. Extracts with high phytochemicals and chelating
activity can be observed as a good source of new agents for
thalassemic patients.
Key
words:
Iran herbs, Iron chelating, thalassemia, phenol, flavonoid. |
