Total phenolic, total flavonoid content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves and root of Atractylis gummifera L.

Atractylis gummifera is a toxic plant widely used in Mediterranean traditional medicine against colds, dizziness, and headaches, as an antisyphilitic, against boils, as a purgative, emetic and deworming. The present study was designed to investigate the phenolic, flavonoid contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves and root of Atractylis gummifera . The antioxidant activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts were determined by DPPH free radical scavenging activity and reducing power. Antimicrobial activity against three pathogens and one yeast (Escherichi Coli ATCC 2592; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853 ,Bacillus Subtilis ATCC6633, and  Candida Albicans ATCC1024.The results showed that plants with high antioxidant properties have high antimicrobial activity.

Key words: Antioxidant, Atractylis gummifera; polyphenols; DPPH scavenging, antimicrobial.