Background and purpose: Allium (Liliaceae) genus has about 600 spp. This investigation was designed to study the impact of extraction methods on total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant, and antihypoxic properties of A. ampeloprasum in mice.
Materials and methods: The aerial parts were extracted by three different methods, i.e. maceration, ultrasonic assisted (UAE) and Soxhlet assisted extraction (SAE). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. Antioxidative capacity was assessed utilizing four different methods. Antihypoxic activities of maceration extract against hypoxia-induced lethality in haemic, asphytic and circulatory hypoxia models.
Results: Soxhlet assisted extract showed the highest amount of total phenolic contents (89.1±3.3 GAE) and Ultrasonic assisted extract showed the highest amount of total flavonoid contents (36.9±1.7 QE). In DPPH radical scavenging activity, maceration extract had higher activity which was significantly different from that of other extracts (IC₅₀ 622.6±12.7). Extraction method did not show any effect on reducing power. All extracts showed the same activity (P>0.05).  Extracts did not show any good nitric oxide radical scavenging and iron chelating activities. In haemic and asphytic models, the extract at 250 mg/kg showed statistically significant activities compared with that in the controls. In circulatory model the extract at 500 mg/kg, significantly prolonged the latency for death compared with that in control groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: According to current study, extraction methods significantly affected antioxidant capacities and total phenolic and flavonoid contents. For A. ampeloprasum, maceration extraction was found to be more efficient. It showed high antihypoxic properties.