RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To explore the total phenolic and flavonoid content, enzymatic, non-enzymatic antioxidant properties, anti-inflammation and anticancer activities of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Floscopa scandens (F. scandens). METHODS: Non-enzymatic antioxidant activity was examined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, nitric oxide scavenging assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, superoxide scavenging assay and metal chelating assay. Enzymatic antioxidant ability was screened for the antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate oxidase, peroxidase, catalase and polyphenol oxidase. The anti-inflammatory property was proved with the inhibition of protein denaturation and protease inhibitory assays. In vitro anticancer activity was assessed by cell viability assay. RESULTS: Methanol extract contained high amount of phenols (198.41 mg catechol equivalent/gram extract) and flavonoids (101.70 mg quercetin equivalent/gram extract) showed higher activity than hexane and ethyl acetate extracts in all experiments. Fresh plant showed considerable enzymatic antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that the methanol extracts of F. scandens could be used as a potential source of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer bioactive compounds.