Abstract:
The present study evaluated the chemical composition and the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant
potential of Ammi visnaga L. essential oil to provide a scientific basis for the use of this
plant in the traditional pharmacopoeia. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify
the volatile constituents present of the oil. The in vitro antioxidant capacity was evaluated
by the DPPH and the reducing power assays. For the in vivo tests, oral administration of Ammi
visnaga L. oil (600 and 1200 mg/kg body weight) was performed in Swiss albino mice treated with
acetaminophen (400 mg/kg). The toxic effect of acetaminophen and the action of the essential oil
were measured by determining the levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in liver and
kidneys homogenates. The major components identified were butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, pentyl ester,
(Z)- -ocimene, D-limonene, linalool, pulegone and lavandulyl-butyrate. The in vitro DPPH and
reducing power assays showed moderate to low free radical scavenging activity and the antioxidant
power was positively correlated with the polyphenols’ concentration. In vivo, the Ammi visnaga
L. essential oil showed a high antioxidant capacity at both concentrations (600 and 1200 mg/kg),
effectively increasing the levels of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase and
significantly reducing the lipid peroxidation. The results obtained from this study suggest that Ammi
visnaga L. could represent a source of molecules with antioxidant potential in the prevention of free
radical-related diseases.
