Antioxidant Activities of Eremurus spectabilis M. Bieb. Extracts and Sulfur Compounds

Objective: Eremurus spectabilis M. Bieb. is grown in East and Southeast Mediterranean regions of Turkey, and is commonly used as an edible plant in these regions. The aim of the current study was to determine the antioxidant activities of different E. spectabilis M. Bieb. extracts and some sulfur compounds. Materials and Methods: In this study, the antioxidant activities of aqueous, ethanolic, and ethyl acetate extracts of E. spectabilis M. Bieb. and sulfur compounds (α-lipoic acid, cysteamine, cysteine, diallyl sulfide, glutathione, homocysteine, N-acetyl cysteine, vitamin U and 1,4-dithioerythritol) were assessed in several antioxidant tests. These tests included reducing power, cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, N,N-dimethyl-4-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, metal chelating activities and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power. The phytochemical profiles and total phenolic and flavonoid contents of all extracts were investigated. Results: It was found out that the antioxidant activities of all the extracts and sulfur compounds generally increased with concentration increases, the highest antioxidant activity was found in ethyl acetate extract, while the aqueous extract was found to have the lowest antioxidant activity. Diallyl sulfide was found to have the highest antioxidant activity, whereas vitamin U had the lowest antioxidant activity. It was observed that all extracts of E. spectabilis M. Bieb. and the sulfur compounds showed antioxidant activity. Conclusion: The E. spectabilis M. Bieb. and sulfur compounds investigated in this study could be considered as a source of antioxidants.