Phytochemical Investigation and Antioxidant Activity of Iraqi Tribulus terrestris

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to characterize the Iraqi Tribulus terrestris for the presence of biologically active phyto-chemicals using methanolic extracts of the plant (aerial parts) by Gas Chromatography –Mass spectrometry (GC/MS), while the mass spectra of the compounds found in the extract was matched with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library , in addition to study the antioxidant activity of plant extract , results confirmed the presence of therapeutically potent compounds in the Iraqi Tribulus terrestris extract predominantly alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids. Antioxidant potential of Iraqi Tribulus terrestris herbal preparations was evaluated by determination of blood glutathione, serum ascorbic acid and serum superoxide dismutase in rats. The obtained results demonstrated that T. terrestris preparations possess a significant antioxidant activity.

Keywords: Iraqi Tribulus terrestris, Phytochemical investigation, Anti-oxidant activity.