Antioxidant profile of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Abstract

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most important species of the Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family. Besides being important food for animals, this species is rich source of phytochemicals that play an important role in human health. The alfalfa contains many phenolic compounds such as coumesterol, apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, and isoflavonoids that have a positive effect on the menopausal disorders such as osteoporosis or breast cancer. All these compounds are known as natural antioxidants because of their ability to neutralize free radical species giving them a hydrogen atom. In this study we have determined the antioxidant potential of ethylacetate extracts (different solutions) on several radical and non-radical species such as: DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), O2−• (superoxide anion radical) , NO • and H2O2. All measurement are based on spectrophotometric methods, where RSC (radical species capacity) was determined in percentage: RSC (%) = 100 × (Ablank-Asample ⁄ Ablank). From the RSC values, there were obtained IC50 values, which represented the concentrations of the ethylacetate extracts that caused 50% neutralization and it was determined by linear regression analysis.