Evaluation of phytochemical and antioxidant activity in different parts of Heracleum gorganicum Rech.F. in Golestan province of Iran. Masoumeh Mazandarani1*, Samira Makari 2, Gholam Reza Bajian2, Parastoo Zarghami Moghaddam3 and Mehdi Abrodi4

              The aim of the present experiment was to study the relationship between secondary metabolites content (phenol and flavonoid) and antioxidant activity in root, stem, leaves, and fruits of Heracleum gorganicumRech. F. The various parts of plant were collected in Ziarat Mountainin Golestan province. Total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF) contents were determined spectrophotometrically and antioxidant activity was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging (DPPH) method. Results showed that the TP varied from 1.31±0.22 to 14.6±0.52 mg GAE g -1 in the parts and TF contents were between 2 ±0.5 to84.84 ± 11.65 mg QUE g-1. Antioxidant Activity(IC 50)was measured in ranges 0.11±0.01 to 0.23±0.015mg ml-1 in DPPH method. There was a positive correlation between antioxidant activity and secondary metabolites content. The results of the present study showed that the leaves of H. gorganicum had the highest content of TP and TF compounds and antioxidant activity, providing natural sources for antioxidant compounds. This confirmed traditional uses of the plant by the rural healers as antiseptic, digestive, carminative and epilepsy in north of Iran.