QUANTIFICATION OF QUERCETIN, CATECHIN, AND ?-SITOSTEROL, ANTIOXIDANT AND ACUTE TOXIC EFFECTS OF CalligonumcomosumL`Her DIFFERENT PARTS EXTRACT

CalligonumcomosumL`Her (C. comosum) belongs to the polygonaceae family and is known as Escanbil in Iran. The objective of this study was to assess quantification of phenolic antioxidants quercetin, catechin, and ?-sitosterol, antioxidant, and toxic effects of ethyl acetate fraction from different parts including root, fruit, stems, aerial (leaves and flowers) and the whole parts ofC. comosum.HPLC with UV detection was employed for quantification of quercetin, catechin, and ?-Sitosterol present in different parts of C. comosum. Antioxidant activity of all samples was evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method. Toxicity of extracts was assayed by brine shrimp, MTT, and animal models.HPLC analysis of quercetin showed high levels of this compound in fruits (2/7 ± 0.25 mg/g)and aerial parts (2/1 ± 0.14 mg/g) as well as, catechin in the plant root (83/9 ± 9.85mg/g) of C. comosum. Aerial parts and then the whole plant extract also containing ?-sitostrol in the highest amount. Comparison of the DPPH results showed that the aerial part of the plant has more antioxidant potential. The brine shrimp lethality bioassay showed that the fruit extract with LC50 126.8 µg/mL was more toxic. The results of in vivoacute toxicity evaluation showed moderately toxicity of the ethyl acetate fraction from aerial part of the C. comusom extract. These findings can help clinicians for selection the best part with lowest side effect in future clinical trials.