The antioxidative effect of Iranian Mentha pulegium extracts and essential oil in sunflower oil

The aim of the present study was to evaluate antioxidative activities of the essential oil, methanol and water extracts of Iranian pennyroyal in vegetable oil during storage. Different concentrations (0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 ppm) of essential oil, water and methanol extracts and beta-hydroxy toluene (BHT; 200 ppm) were added to sunflower oil emulsion in the presence of cupric ions and incubated for 7 days at 60 °C. Peroxide values (PVs) and thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) levels were measured in each day up to day of seven. Furthermore, antioxidant capacity of the essential oil and extracts were determined using DPPH and β-carotene–linoleic acid methods. Values were compared among groups in each incubation time points using ANOVA. Results showed that DPPH and β-carotene–linoleic acid assay findings on the Mentha pulegium extracts were comparable to those found on BHT. Furthermore, in all incubation time points, M. pulegium extracts lowered PVs and TBARS levels when compared to the control (p < 0.001). In this respect, water extract was more potent than the methanol extract. Essential oil did not show considerable antioxidative effect. It seems that water extract of M. pulegium is a potent antioxidant which makes it as a potential antioxidant for oil and oily products during storage.     

Essential oil composition and antioxidant activity of Thymus longicaulis C. Presl subsp. longicaulis var. longicaulis

This study is designed to examine the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of the hydrodistillated essential oil and various extracts obtained from Thymus longicaulis subsp. longicaulis var. longicaulis. GC and GC–MS analysis of the essential oil were resulted in determination 22 different compounds, representing 99.61% of total oil. γ-terpinene, thymol and p-cymene were determined as the major compounds of the oil (27.80, 27.65 and 19.38%, respectively). Antioxidant activities of the samples were determined by four different test systems namely β-carotene/linoleic acid, DPPH, reducing power and chelating effect. Essential oil showed the highest antioxidant activity in β-carotene/linoleic acid system among the experiments examined. In the case of other test systems, in general, methanol and water extracts exhibited the strongest activity profiles. Especially, reducing power of water extract was found superior than those of synthetic antioxidants. As well as the antioxidant activities of the extracts, they were evaluated in terms of their total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Hexane and water extracts were found to be rich-in phenolics. However, flavonoids were determined in the highest level in methanol extract.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Psammogeton canescens

This study is outlined to probe the chemical composition of essential oil and in vitro antioxidant activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Psammogeton canescens. The chemical composition of the hydrodistilled essential oil of the aerial parts of P. canescens was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The main constituents of the oil were found to be β-bisabolene (33.35%), apiole (28.34%), α-pinene (11.86%) and dill apiole (8.17%). Antioxidant activities of the samples were determined by three various testing systems namely DPPH, β-carotene/linoleic acid, and reducing power assay. In DPPH system, the highest radical-scavenging activity was seen by the polar subfraction of methanol extract (49.5 ± 1.21 μg/ml). Furthermore, in the second case the inhibition capacity (%) of the polar subfraction (92.40% ± 0.72) found to be the stronger one. However, in the reducing power assay, a reverse activity pattern more than in the first two systems was observed, and the essential oil was stronger radical reducer than was the methanol extract in all of the concentration tested. Our findings demonstrate that the essential oil and methanol extracts of P. canescens possess significant antioxidant activities and may be suggested as a new potential source of natural antioxidant.     

Chemistry,antioxidant and antimicrobial investigations on essential oil and oleoresins of Zingiber officinale

The essential oil and oleoresins (ethanol, methanol, CCl₄ and isooctane) of Zingiber officinale were extracted respectively by hydrodistillation and Soxhlet methods and subjected to GC–MS analysis. Geranial (25.9%) was the major component in essential oil; eugenol (49.8%) in ethanol oleoresin, while in the other three oleoresins, zingerone was the major component (33.6%, 33.3% and 30.5% for, methanol, CCl₄ and isooctane oleoresins, respectively). The antioxidant activity of essential oil and oleoresins were evaluated against mustard oil by peroxide, anisidine, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging methods. They were found to be better antioxidants than butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The antimicrobial properties were also studied using various food-borne pathogenic fungal and bacterial species. The essential oil and CCl₄ oleoresin showed 100% zone inhibition against Fusarium moniliforme. For other tested fungi and bacteriae, the essential oil and all oleoresins showed good to moderate inhibitory effects. Though, both essential oil and oleoresins were found to be effective, essential oil was found to be better than the oleoresins.     

Chemical composition,in vitro anti-microbial,antifungal and antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanolic extract of Hymenocrater longiflorus Benth., of Iran

In this study we identified the chemical composition, anti-microbial and antioxidant effects of essential oil and methanolic extract of Hymenocrater longiflorus Benth. Totally 87 volatile compounds from the essential oil in H. longiflorus, were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). These compounds are mainly monoterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids compounds. The anti-microbial and antifungal activity of plants extracts against several pathogenic microorganisms was studied by disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration procedures. The results revealed that the essential oil and polar sub-fraction are effective mostly against Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The antioxidant activity was also determined by 1,1′-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, β-carotene linoleic acid assay and reducing power. In addition the total phenol of essential oil (54.6 ± 1.2), polar sub-fraction (50.0 ± 1.4) and non-polar sub-fraction (64.7 ± 2.0) were determined.     

Chemical composition,antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of Sideritis erythrantha Boiss. and Heldr. (var. erythrantha and var. cedretorum P.H. Davis) endemic in Turkey

In the present study, chemical compositions, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of Sideritis erythrantha var. erythrantha (SE) and Sideritis erythrantha var. cedretorum (SC), which are endemic taxa in Turkey, were investigated. The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). α-Pinene was the major component of the essential oils of SC and SE. SC essential oil was as effective as antibiotic against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), ampicillin resistant Haemophilusinfluenzae and vancomycin sensitive E. faecalis. Similarly, SE essential oil was also as effective as antibiotic against VRE and ampicillin resistant H. influenzae. Antioxidant activities of the essential oils of SC and SE were determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-carotene/linoleic acid and reducing power. Both essential oils exhibited weak antioxidant activity. This is the first report on antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of SC and SE.     

Essential oil composition and antioxidant activities of Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

The chemical composition of the hydro-distilled essential oil from leaves of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. was analysed by GC–MS. Twenty-three compounds representing 94.29% of the total oil were identified. The antioxidant activities of the oil and various extracts of C. aromatica were evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radical-scavenging assays. The oil and methanol extract showed potent DPPH radical-scavenging activities (IC₅₀ = 14.45 and 16.58 μg/ml, respectively), which were higher than butylated hydroxyanisole (IC₅₀ = 18.27 μg/ml). The extracts also exhibited remarkable superoxide radical-scavenging activities (IC₅₀ = 22.6–45.27 μg/ml) and the activity in the methanol extract was superior to all other extracts (IC₅₀ = 22.6 μg/ml). Furthermore, the amount of total phenolic compounds was determined and its content in ethyl acetate extract was the highest as compared to other extracts. The results indicate that the oil and extracts of C. aromatica could serve as an important bio-resource of antioxidants for using in the food industries.     

Antioxidant activity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, iridoid content and mutagenic evaluation of Leucosideasericea

Leucosidea sericea is an important medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine in southern Africa. Leaf and stem petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM) and 50% aqueous methanol (MeOH) extracts were investigated for antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. The safety of the extracts was evaluated using the Ames test. In addition, the iridoid content of L. sericea stems and leaves were quantified. For DPPH radical-scavenging activity, the stem MeOH extract (EC₅₀ value: 1.6 μg/ml) was more potent than ascorbic acid (EC₅₀ value: 1.7 μg/ml). In the β-carotene-linoleic acid model system, antioxidant activity of the leaf DCM extract (89.8%) was not significantly different to that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (98.9%). All extracts showed a dose-dependent acetylcholinesterase inhibition; in terms of the IC₅₀ value, the leaf DCM extract (0.14 mg/ml) was the most potent sample. Total iridoid content was 35% higher in the stem extract than in the leaf extract. Based on the Ames test, L. sericea extracts were not mutagenic, either with or without S9 metabolic activation. These findings suggest the safety as well as the potential of L. sericea as a possible source of novel/alternative antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory compounds.     

Antioxidant,free radical scavenging activities of Salvia brachyantha and its protective effect against oxidative cardiac cell injury

In this study, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of an endemic Salvia species (Salvia brachyantha (Bordz) probed. was assessed in vitro using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, β-carotene linoleic acid, superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, and reducing power assays. Regarding our data, the plant extract exhibited antioxidant and radical scavenging activities at different magnitudes of potency. In addition, this study was undertaken to assess whether methanol extract of S. brachyantha could increase the endogenous antioxidant enzymes in cells, and where such increased cellular defences could provide protection against oxidative cell injury. Pre treatment of rat heart cell lines with 100 μg/ml of plant extract for 24 h significantly prevented cell damage and enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes induced by a treatment with xanthine/xanthine oxidase. Increased reactive oxygen species and cell apoptosis induced by xanthine/xanthine oxidase was dose-dependently prevented when cells were pre treated for 24 h with plant extract. These results indicated that S. brachyantha could protect against cell injury via induction of the antioxidant enzyme defences. The extract of this plant might be valuable antioxidant natural sources and seemed to be applicable in both healthy medicine and food industry.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oils and solvent extracts of Ptychotis verticillata from Morocco

The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of the essential oil and extracts of Ptychotis verticillata. The antioxidative activities of this species were also evaluated to suggest it as a new potential source of natural antioxidants. Analysis of the chemical composition of P. verticillata essential oil from Morocco was carried out using GC and GC-MS. The oil was dominated by phenolic compounds (48.0%) with carvacrol (44.6%) and thymol (3.4%) as the main compounds. Plant phenolics constitute one of the major groups of components that act as primary antioxidant free radical terminators. The amounts of total phenolics and flavonoids in the solvent extracts (diethyl ether and ethyl acetate) were determined spectrometrically. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of the essential oil and extracts were determined using a DPPH test system. The DPPH scavenging activity of extracts increased in the order ethyl acetate > ascorbic acid > diethyl ether > essential oil. Finally, a relationship was observed between the antioxidant activity potential and total phenolic and flavonoid levels of the extract.     

Chemical composition,antibacterial and antioxidant activities of leaf essential oil and extracts of Metasequioa glyptostroboides Miki ex Hu

The aims of this study were to analyze the chemical composition of leaf essential oil of Metasequioa glyptostroboides Miki, and to test the efficacy of oil and extracts (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol) against food spoilage and food-borne pathogenic bacteria and their antioxidant activity. The GC–MS analysis revealed 49 compounds representing 94.62% of the total oil containing 2-butaneone (30.6%), cyclopentane (15.1%), β-myrcene (13.29%), cyclobutane (7.67%), furan (3%), valeramide (2.81%), borneol (1.2%), β-farnesene (1.67%), thymol (1.44%) and α-pinene (1.46%) as major components. The oil (1000 μg/disc), and extracts (1500 μg/disc) exhibited promising antibacterial effect as a diameter of zones of inhibition (10–18 and 7–13 mm), respectively. MIC values of oil and the extracts were ranged 125–2000 and 250 to <2000 μg/ml, respectively. Also the oil had strong antibacterial effect on the viable counts. Scanning electron microscopic study demonstrated potential detrimental effect of the oil on the morphology of S. aureus KCTC1916. The free radical scavenging activities of the oil and ethyl acetate extract were found to be 11.32 and 19.12 μg/ml, respectively. Also the ethyl acetate extract revealed the highest phenolic contents (85.17 mg/g of dry wt) as compared to the other extracts.     

Chemical Constituents,Antimicrobial Activity,Antioxidant and Total Phenolic Content in the Leaves of Thecocarpus Meifolious Boiss. Umbelliferae Herbs Growing Wild in Iran

Water-distilled essential oil from the leaves of Thecocarpus meifolious Boiss.— a plant that is endemic to Iran, collected from province of Chaharmahal-Bakhtiyari (west of Iran), was analyzed by the GC and GC/MS techniques. The leaf oil of T. meifolious was investigated for its antimicrobial activity, antioxidant and total phenolic content. The antioxidative properties of this oil were determined by three methods: ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), radical-scavenging capacity of the oil or bleaching of 2,20-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and â-carotene—linoleic acid assay. In the leaf oil of T. meifolious, 30 components representing 97.53% of the total composition have been identified. Spathulenol (20.51%), camphor (10.20%) and caryophyllene oxide (10.35%) are the major components in this oil. This oil exhibited significant activity against all Gram-positive bacteria (especially, Candida albicans) and moderate inhibitory activity against the Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli was insensitive to the oil). Bactericidal kinetics of the leaf oil of T. meifolious indicates that C. albicans is the most vulnerable strain. Total phenolic contents of the leaf oil of T. meifolious was determined to be 126.80 ± 8.50 μg Gallic acid equivalent/mg sample. The ferric reducing power of this oil was determined to be 8.55 ± 0.5 gallic acid equivalent (mg/g). The leaf essential oil of T. meifolious reduced the concentration of DPPH free radical (55.6 ± 1.5%, 10 mg/mL of essential oil), with an efficacy lower than that of reference Thymus x-porlock oil (69.3% inhibition). IC₅₀ for DPPH radical-scavenging activity was 3.75 μg/mL. In β-carotene-linoleic acid test system, oxidation of linoleic acid was effectively inhibited by T. meifolious oil (40.65 ± 2.5%, 0.625 mg/mL of essential oil). The results suggest application of T. meifolious oil as a natural antioxidant agent.     

In vitro screening of essential oil from young and mature leaves of Artemisia scoparia compared to its major constituents for free radical scavenging activity

The present study investigated the chemical characterization, and antioxidant activity of essential oil hydrodistilled from young and mature leaves of Artemisia scoparia. GC–MS analyses revealed a monoterpenoid nature (64–67%) with 44 and 31 constituents in young and mature leaves oil, respectively. The oil from young leaf contained greater amount of oxygenated compounds. β-Myrcene (24.13%) and p-cymene (27.06%) were the major constituents in young and mature leaves oil, respectively. A. scoparia leaf oils (25–200 μg/ml) exhibited a strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity and antioxidant activity against hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide. However, the activities of major constituent monoterpenes, β-myrcene and p-cymene, were less. In general, the DPPH radical scavenging and antioxidant activity was in the order: mature leaf oil > young leaf oil > β-myrcene > p-cymene.     

Targeting excessive free radicals with peels and juices of citrus fruits: Grapefruit,lemon, lime and orange

A comparative study between the antioxidant properties of peel (flavedo and albedo) and juice of some commercially grown citrus fruit (Rutaceae), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), lemon (Citrus limon), lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia) and sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) was performed. Different in vitro assays were applied to the volatile and polar fractions of peels and to crude and polar fraction of juices: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation using β-carotene–linoleate model system in liposomes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay in brain homogenates. Reducing sugars and phenolics were the main antioxidant compounds found in all the extracts. Peels polar fractions revealed the highest contents in phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, carotenoids and reducing sugars, which certainly contribute to the highest antioxidant potential found in these fractions. Peels volatile fractions were clearly separated using discriminant analysis, which is in agreement with their lowest antioxidant potential.     

Antioxidant activities of the essential oils and methanol extracts from myrtle (Myrtus communis var. italica L.) leaf,stem and flower

This study was designed to examine the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oils and methanol extracts of Myrtus communis var. italica L. leaf, stem and flower. Myrtle leaf and flower were the valuable organs for the essential oil production representing a yield of 0.61% and 0.30% (w/w), respectively. The essential oil composition of myrtle leaf and flower was characterized by high proportions of α-pinene, the main compound of monoterpene hydrocarbon class, with 58.05% for leaf and 17.53% for flower. Stem was rich in oxygenated monoterpenes, largely due to 1,8-cineole with 32.84%. The total phenol contents varied between different myrtle parts; leaf extract had higher total phenol content (33.67 mg GAE/g) than flower (15.70 mg GAE/g) and stem (11.11 mg GAE/g) extracts. Significant differences were also found in total tannin contents among different myrtle parts, representing 26.55 mg GAE/g in leaf, 11.95 mg GAE/g in flower, 3.33 mg GAE/g in stem. The highest contents of total flavonoids and condensed tannins were observed in stem (5.17 and 1.99 mg CE/g, respectively) and leaf (3 and 1.22 mg CE/g, respectively) extracts. The HPLC analysis indicated that the main phenolic class was hydrolysable tannins (gallotannins) in leaf (79.39%, 8.90 mg/g) and flower (60.00%, 3.50 mg/g) while the stem was characterized by the predominance of flavonoid class (61.38%, 1.86 mg/g) due to the high presence of catechin (36.91%, 1.12 mg/g). Antioxidant activities of the essential oil and the methanolic extract from different myrtle parts were evaluated by using DPPH radical scavenging, β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching, reducing power and metal chelating activity assays. In all tests, methanolic extracts of different myrtle parts showed better antioxidant activity than essential oils.     

Antibacterial,antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activity capacities of Doronicum macrolepis (FREYN&SINT): An endemic plant from Turkey

In the present study, the antioxidant, enzyme inhibition (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and cholinesterase) and antimicrobial (MIC) activities of three different solvent (ethanol, methanol, or ethyl acetate) extracts of stem, root, and flower of Doronicum macrolepis plant were investigated. In addition to this, the chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil were determined. Antioxidant activity was detected using ABTS and DPPH assays. Antimicrobial activity evaluated by microdilution method against to nineteen microorganisms. Also, enzyme inhibition activities were determined by colorimetric methods. Essential oil of the plant extracted by hydrodistilation and characterized using GC/MS. The antioxidant properties of the flower were determined to be higher than those of the other segments of this plant. Moreover, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also found to be higher in the flower parts. The highest enzyme inhibition activity was observed to be α-amylase (221.54 mmol ACAE/g extract) in flower ethylacetate extract, α-glucosidase (15.32 mmol ACAE/g extract) in flower ethanol extract, and cholinesterase (AChE: 2.4 and BChE: 22.35 mg GALE/g extract) in stem ethylacetate extract. Besides them, the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was found to be higher than the extracts. It showed a high level of inhibition especially on E. coli at 4 µg/ml concentration. Moreover, remarkable inhibition was observed for two candida strains tested. In conclusion, the results suggest that, because of its bioactivity including the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme inhibition properties, the D. macrolepis can be accepted as a promising and natural source for the industrial applications. The present study is the first study, in which the bioactive components and the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme inhibition properties of endemic D. macrolepis plant were determined.     

Chemical profile and biological activities of Veronica thymoides subsp. pseudocinerea

Abstract

Context: In Turkey, Veronica species (Plantaginaceae) have been used as a diuretic and for wound healing in traditional medicine.

Objective: To examine the fatty acid and essential oil profiles, the antioxidant, anticholinesterase, antimicrobial, and DNA damage effects of Veronica thymoides P.H. Davis subsp. pseudocinerea M.A. Fischer as a potential source of natural active compounds.

Materials and methods: GC/MS was used to analyze essential oil and fatty acid obtained from whole plant. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the β-carotene-linoleic acid test system, DPPH-free and ABTS cation radicals scavenging, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity assays. The anticholinesterase and antimicrobial activities were determined by Ellman and broth macrodillution methods, respectively. The effect of the methanol extract on DNA cleavage was investigated.

Results: Hexatriacontene (21.0%) was found to be the main constituent in essential oil, and linoleic acid (25.2%) and palmitic acid (20.6%) in fatty acid. Methanol extract demonstrated the best IC₅₀ values in lipid peroxidation (49.81?±?0.31?µg/ml) and DPPH-free radical scavenging activity (15.32?±?0.17?µg/ml). Methanol and water extracts possessed strong ABTS cation radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ values 9.15?±?0.28 and 8.90?±?0.14?µg/ml, respectively. The acetone extract exhibited moderate butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. The highest antimicrobial activity was determined in methanol extract against Escherichia coli with 31.25?µg/ml MIC value. Inhibition of methanol extract on plasmid DNA cleavage by OH radicals was found to be 93.32% at 500?µg/ml.

Conclusion: The methanol extract having strong antioxidant and DNA damage effects could be investigated phytochemically to find natural active compounds.     

Antioxidant and antidermatophytic activities of essential oil and extracts of Metasequoia glyptostroboides Miki ex Hu

This study was undertaken to assess the antioxidant and antidermatophytic potential of the essential oil and extracts (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol) of Metasequoia glyptostroboides Miki ex Hu. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The free radical scavenging activities of the oil and ethyl acetate extract were found to be superior (IC₅₀ = 9.1 and 14.24 μg/ml, respectively) as compared to butylatedhydroxyanisole (BHA), (IC₅₀ = 18.27 μg/ml). Also the ethyl acetate extract revealed the highest phenolic contents (93.26 mg/g of dry wt) as compared to the other extracts. Further, oil (1250 μg/disc) and extracts (1750 μg/disc) revealed 35.33–67.66 and 18.0–53.3% antidermatophytic effect, respectively, along with their respective MIC values (62.5–500 and 250–4000 μg/ml) against Trichophyton rubrum KCTC 6345, T. rubrum KCTC 6375, T. rubrum KCTC 6352, T. mentagrophytes KCTC 6085, T. mentagrophytes KCTC 6077, T. mentagrophytes KCTC 6316, Microsporum canis KCTC 6591, M. canis KCTC 6348 and M. canis KCTC 6349. The oil also had a strong detrimental effect on spore germination as well as concentration and time-dependent kinetic inhibition of M. canis KCTC 6591.     

In vitro antioxidant capacities and fatty acid compositions of three Centaurea species collected from Central Anatolia region of Turkey

Antioxidant capacities of methanolic extract and fatty acid composition of three Centaurea species were investigated. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was evaluated by different assays, including total phenolic content, phosphomolybdenum assay, free radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay), β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching assay, iron (III) and cupric reduction assay. The findings showed that the methanolic extract of Centaurea pulchella has the strongest antioxidant capacity compared to other two Centaurea species. The order of the antioxidant properties of Centaurea species were C. pulchella > C. patula > C. tchihatcheffii. Thirty fatty acids were identified in the oils of three Centaurea species. The major fatty acids of these species were found to be linoleic acid from C. pulchella and C. tchihatcheffii, and α-linolenic acid from C. patula. The study concluded that the Centaurea species can be used as a source of natural antioxidants and essential fatty acids.