European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Coriandrum sativum L. is an aromatic plant belonging to the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family, originating in the Mediterranean region. C. sativum is widely cultivated worldwide and has nutritional and medicinal values. The C. sativum seeds contain an essential oil that is used in different industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food. This study aims to extract, analyze, and evaluate the antioxidant activity of C. sativum seed essential oil cultivated in Afghanistan. The essential oil was extracted by hydro-distillation (HD) extraction and analyzed by High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). The HD extraction provided an essential oil yield of 0.16 % (v/w). Also, HPTLC analysis of the essential oil determined two components of the oil, linalool and myrcene. The quantification of linalool content and HPTLC method validation were determined using densitometric analysis. As a result, the linalool content was identified 60.06 %, and the HPTLC method proved as a valid method for analysis of the essential oil. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the essential oil was determined using DPPH radical scavenging assay and reported as IC₅₀. The ascorbic acid utilized as the positive control, and the antioxidant activity of the essential oil evaluated in comparison with ascorbic acid. The IC₅₀ of ascorbic acid and the essential oil were determined 0.02 ± 0.0004 (mg/ml) and 21.05± 0.284 (mg/ml), respectively. Thus, the essential oil showed lower antioxidant activity than ascorbic acid. This study is the first report on the extraction, chemical composition, and antioxidant activity of C. sativum seed essential oil cultivated in Afghanistan.