No abstract

BACKGROUND: Antioxidant capacity of the chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water fractions of the aerial parts of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull (Ericaceae) has been assessed in this study. Antioxidant capacity of the plant was screened by assays of 2,2-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide scavenging, metal-chelating activity and reducing power. Butylated hydroxyanisole was used as reference in all assays; ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid was also used as reference in the assay of metal-chelating activity. Total phenolic contents of the fractions were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method.