Biebersteinia orphanidis Boiss. Shows antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity

Leaves of Biebersteinia orphanidis Boiss., the only representative of the monotypic family Biebersteiniaceae found in Europe, were subjected to biological and phytochemical studies. The leaf methanolic extract showed a moderate toxicity on brine shrimp (LC50 =1666.6 µg/ml). The radical scavenging activity of B. orphanidis methanolic extract was assayed by the DPPH method (IC50=22.75 µg/ml). Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract (50 mg/kg i.p.) in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rat was studied. In this experimental model an inhibition of paw oedema, significant from first to fifth hour, was observed; the maximum effect was at the first hour (70.3%). The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract can be due to its inhibitory effects on both release of mediators, as serotonin, histamine and kinins, and on cyclooxygenase activity. By HPLC analysis the cinnamic acids, caffeic, ferulic and p-coumaric were identified. The total phenolic content of the extract, evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteau method, was 42 mg/g. The anti-inflammatory effect of B. orphanidis methanolic extract could be due to the synergistic action both of flavonoids and cinnamic acids, and it could be related to the free radical scavenging activity of these polyphenol compounds towards oxygen reactive species.