Alnus glutinosa

Alnus glutinosa (Betulaceae) is a medium-sized tree native to the northern hemisphere. The leaves of this species are used in several Eastern countries as an anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and to measure the total polyphenol and flavonoid content of two extracts obtained from A . glutinosa leaves in acetone and methanol. Polyphenol content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method, using gallic acid as the standard. Flavonoids were assessed using the AlCl3 method. Antioxidant activity was measured using the 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by measuring the inhibition of denaturation of fresh egg albumin.