Total Bioactive Contents and Radical Scavenging Activities of Some Ruta L. Extracts

Ruta L. is a genus of the Rutaceae family, mostly used as a traditional medicinal plant. In this study, the antioxidant activities of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of wild Ruta chalepensis L. (above ground plant) and Ruta montana L. (leaves-flowers, stems) were assessed. The results showed that methanol extract of flower-leave of Ruta montana provided the highest yield of extraction (15.11%, 151.12 +/- 0.78 mg/g) whereas the lowest yield was obtained in ethanol extract of stems of Ruta montana (2.67%, 26.66 +/- 0.50 mg/g). Total flavonoid content in dry weight of methanol and ethanol extracts of Ruta chalepensis was found higher than other extracts except methanol leaves-flowers extract of Ruta montana. It was determinated that ethanol extracts of Ruta montana stem sustained less total flavonoid and phenolic content. Also, radical scavenging activities such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and 2, 2'-Azino-Bis-3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic acid (ABTS) of extracts was investigated, and according to the solvent, it was revealed that extracts of Ruta chalepensis exhibited high activity. As a result, it has been discussed that Ruta can be used as a natural antioxidant by taking advantage of these data.