Satureja myrtifolia (Boiss. & Hohen.) Lebanese wild plant, as a resource of natural antioxidants

This study aims to evaluate total phenolic content (TPC) and in vitro radical scavenging activity (RSA) of Satureja myrtifolia collected from Lebanon. TPCs of Satureja myrtifolia were extracted by two polar solvents, namely methanol and water and subsequently determined spectrophotometrically. The RSA of both crude extracts were evaluated in vitro by 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity assay. According to our findings, the obtained extracts exhibit relatively high levels of phenolic compounds which range from 343.12 ± 7.53 to 441.09 ± 10.70 mg GAE g-1 in terms of dry weight (DW) depending on the solvent used. Moreover, both extracts exerted hydrogen-donating abilities in the presence of DDPH stable radical. However, the aqueous extract from the aerial parts of S. myrtifolia showed higher RSA capability. This study revealed that S. myrtifolia is a potential resource of biological active compounds which can reduce the risk of diseases and their noxious effects correlating with the antioxidant compounds.