Comparative free radical scavenging potential and cytotoxicity of different extracts from Iris pseudopumila Tineo flowers and rhizomes.

Different Iris species are known as medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of different extracts from Iris pseudopumila Tineo flowers and rhizomes. The radical scavenging activity was assessed by means of DPPH assay. The antioxidant activity was assessed by means of two tests: bleaching of beta-carotene and lipid peroxidation of liposomes. Methanolic and chloroform extracts from the flowers of I. pseudopumila showed a significant antiradical effect with IC(50) of 101 and 83 microg mL(-1), respectively. As regards to lipid peroxidation, the best activity was showed by methanolic extract of flowers (IC(50) of 18 microg mL(-1)) and chloroformic extract of rhizomes (IC(50) 33 microg mL(-1)). The cytotoxic activity was carried out using the SRB assay. The chloroform extract from rhizomes demonstrated a good cytotoxic activity against amelanotic melanoma cancer cell line (C32) with an IC(50) of 57 microg mL(-1). The results obtained support the ethnomedical claims for the plant.