Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Root Extracts of Astragalus Membranaceus, Scutellaria Baicalensis, and Phlojodicarpus Sibiricus

The goal of the study was to determine quantitatively the content of phenolic compounds in the extract from roots of Astragalus membranaceus, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Phlojodicarpus sibiricus and to evaluate the antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect of the extract. The quantitative content of the flavonoid complex (baicalin, rutin, quercetin, epicatechin) was determined. The antioxidant activity of the dry EtOH extract was evaluated using the DPPH test (in vitro). The antioxidant activity was shown to be directly dependent on the concentration of the extract. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration IC50 was 210.99 μg/mL. The anti-inflammatory effect of the tested agent was studied in the model of formalin edema in white rats. Administration of the extract to rats at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg gave edema values of 31.4, 19.2, and 16.6% of the parameters (foot thickness) before administration of the formalin solution, which was 2 – 4 times less than the control values (p < 0.05) and were comparable to those obtained with indomethacin.