Biological and pharmacological effects of Delphinium elbursense

• Published in: African journal of biotechnology Vol. 9; no. 34; pp. 5542 - 5549
• Main Authors: Ebrahimzadeh, MA, Nabavi, S F, Nabavi, S M, Mahmoudi, M, Eslami, B, Dehpour, A A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 23.08.2010
• Subjects: Delphinium
• ISSN: 1684-5315; 1684-5315

Antidepressant, antihypoxic and antioxidant activities of aerial parts of Delphiniurr elbursense were investigated employing nine various assay systems. Antidepessant activity was examined by using forced swimming test and tai suspension test in mice. The extracts at all tested doses show significant activity as compared to control group. Antihypoxic activity was investigated in two models haemic and circulatory. The effects were pronounced and dose-dependent in botr model of hypoxia. Extracts showed weak antioxidant activity in some models. IC sub(50) for 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity was 116.2 plus or minus 5.6 mu g ml super(-1). Extracts showed nitric oxide-scavenging activity between 0.1 and 1.6 mg ml super(-1) (IC sub(50) = 502.3 plus or minus 18 mu g ml super(-1)) and a very weak Fe super(2+) chelating ability (IC sub(50) = 1.01 + 0.03 mg ml super(-1)). It also exhibited low antioxidant activity in hemoglobin induced peroxidation of linoleic acid but was capable of scavenging hydroger peroxide in a concentration dependent manner. Extract show antihemolytic activity againts hydrogen peroxide (H sub(2)O sub(2)) induced hemolysis (558.7 plus or minus 31 mu g ml super(-1)). The total phenolic compounds in extract were determined as gallic acid equivalents (52.24 plus or minus 1.7) and total flavonoid contents were calculated as quercetin equivalents (17.26 mu 0.6) from a calibration curve.