In this study samples of plant species Pergularia tomentosa; family Asclepiadaceae were collected from the Sultanate of Oman and extracted with organic solvents. These extracts were screened for their relative total phenol content, total antioxidant and anti-microbial properties. This species of plants has been traditionally used in Oman and much of the Middle East for the treatment of skin diseases, as abortive agents and as a laxative. The ethanolic extract of the plant was shown to possess anti-oxidant activity (inhibition of DPPH• radical), which is related to their phenolic content and also anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Partial purification of these extracts (and associated anti-oxidant activity) has also been achieved by a combination of column chromatography and HPLC. Although complete structural elucidation of the compounds present within the extracts has not been possible, NMR analysis has indicated the presence of certain functional groups. Antioxidant activities of the extracts have been determined by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) assay and phospho-molybdate method. Folin-Ciocalteu method was used to determine total phenolic contents. In order to detect anti-bacterial activities of extracts a preliminary screening study was performed by using Varioskan spectrophotometer (Transgalactic Ltd).

In this study samples of plant species Pergularia tomentosa; family Asclepiadaceae were collected from the Sultanate of Oman and extracted with organic solvents. These extracts were screened for their relative total phenol content, total antioxidant and anti-microbial properties. This species of pla...