Background and purpose: The genus Vicia (Papilionaceae) contains 45 species in Iran. This investigation was designed to study the impact of extraction methods on total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities of V. hirsuta aerial parts.
Materials and methods: In this experimental study the efficiencies of three extraction methods i.e. Maceration, Soxhlet, and ultrasonically assisted extraction were evaluated for the extraction of antioxidants. Antioxidant activities were investigated by four different methods. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined. Data analysis was done in GraphPad Prism 5.
Results: Soxhlet extract showed highest amount of phenolic and flavonoids contents. In DPPH radical scavenging activity, soxhlet extract had a higher activity which was significantly different from other extracts (P<0.01). This extract had higher nitric oxide radical scavenging activity (377.4±9.1 µg ml^-1), too. In reducing power assay, all extracts showed the same activity (P> 0.05). In iron chelating activity, maceration extract had the highest activity.
Conclusion: Extraction methods significantly affect antioxidant capacities and total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Soxhlet assisted extraction was chosen as the most efficient method.