Abstract

Ferula assafoetida Linn, (Apiaceae) is used in herbal medicine globally for cure and prevention of many diseases. Current research has been carried out to investigate antioxidant potential of this plant. Results indicated that sufficient amount of total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents are present in its leaves, flowers and seeds. Some top-benched bioassays like 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide scavenging activity and superoxide radical scavenging activity confirmed the radical scavenging and antioxidant potential of this plant. Since F. assafoetida hold immense therapeutic potential besides food uses, its usage in dietary supplementation can be exploited largely as a functional food.

Key words: Ferula assafoetida, total phenolic contents, antioxidant potential, Pakistan.