Free Radical Scavenging, Metal chelating and Antiperoxidative Activities of M. communis Berries Methanol extract and its Fractions

Oxidative stress resulted from free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with many diseases. Phytotherapy has known a great evolution all the world and some medicinal plants are important remedies of some diseases. Myrtle (Mrytus communis L.) is a plant of Myrtaceae family which is common in the Mediterranean region, with flowering, always green leaves and fruit. This study aims to investigate in vitro antioxidant capacity of Myrtus communis berries methanol extract and its three fractions using five assays: ABTS scavenging radicals, metal chelating, hydrogen peroxide and inhibition of lipid peroxidation assays. EAE extract possessed the highest antioxidant activity in ABTS (EAE (IC50=2.5 µg/ml ) and lipid peroxidation models (90.17%). Whereas, AqE is the most active extract in metal chelating activity (IC50=0.73±0.03 mg/ml) and H2O2 assay. These results support the traditional use of this plant in healthcare and it could be a new source of antioxidant natural drugs.