Evening primrose seeds [Oenothera biennis L.] as a rich source of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory oil

Chemical composition of evening primrose seeds and physiochemical properties of its oil were determined. Antioxidant activity of evening primrose meal extracts, methanol 80% [MeOH], ethanol 80% [EtOH] and ethyl acetate [E.A.], at different concentrations was investigated using diphenylpicrylhydrazyl [DPPH*] radical scavenging assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay and lipid peroxidation in mitochondrja assay. Also, the anti-inflammatory activity of evening primrose seeds oil at three dosages [90, 180, 360 mg/Kg b.w.] on carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats was investigated. Results revealed that, the oil was distinguished by its high content of gamma-linolenic acid and beta-sitosterol and has a dose-dependent anti-inflarnn.iatory activity. Also, the antioxidant activity of all extracts displayed a concentrationdependent scavenging of H2O2 and DPPH*. One hundred micrograms of MeOH and EtOH extracts displayed a 100% scavenging of H2O2 and DPPH*. In addition, all extracts have inhibitory effect against lipid peroxidation in mitochondria The results demonstrated that evening primrose meal extracts [EPR] have antioxidant activity and its oil has anti-inflammatory activity