Screening inland halophytes from the central Balkan for their antioxidant activity in relation to total phenolic compounds and flavonoids: Are there any prospective medicinal plants?

• Biological potential was assessed for 15 semiarid halophytes from central Balkan.
• First report for endemic and/or rare salt tolerant plants regarding antioxidant effect.
• The highest content of flavonoids was found in Atriplex tatarica and A. littoralis.
• Antioxidant activity of some analyzed halophytes was similar to green tea and ginkgo.
• Plants from saline semiarid habitats are sources of phenols with antioxidant activity.

This paper presents new data for secondary metabolites and biological activity of the insufficiently studied European inland halophytes as remarkable indicators of Balkan saline habitats. Phenolic content, flavonoid concentrations and antioxidant activity were analyzed in fifteen terrestrial salt tolerant plants collected from eight saline habitats situated in two distinct semiarid regions of Serbia. Total phenols ranged from 31.86 to 212.71 mg of GA/g of extract (gallic acid equivalent – milligrams of gallic acid per gram of extract). Concentration of flavonoids ranged from 41.21 to 146.06 mg of RU/g of extract (rutin equivalent – milligrams of rutin per gram of extract). Antioxidant activity was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical reagent; obtained values was ranged from 1785.81 to 17.55 μg/ml. A significant relation was noticed between the concentration of phenols and antioxidant activity. Parallel to the analysis of researched halophytes, Camellia sinensis and Ginkgo biloba were analyzed for comparison. The best antioxidant properties were determined for Statice gmelinii, Artemisia santonicum and Mentha pulegium. The results indicate a potential of studied halophytic species as candidates for natural sources of secondary metabolites with high biological activity, whereas their bioactive compounds might have a significant role in adaptations to salt and drought stress.