In vitro antioxidant and anti-rhizopus activities of Lamiaceae herbal extracts.

Eighty-eight extracts of different polarity obtained from 18 Lamiaceae medicinal and aromatic plants were screened for their antioxidant and antifungal properties. A TLC analysis combined with two bioassays were used to detect these activities. In most cases the highest radical scavenger capacity was detected in methanolic and aqueous extracts and polyphenols may be responsible. The most interesting antioxidant activity was observed in polar extracts obtained from Lycopus europaeus, Melissa officinalis, Origanum vulgare subsp. virens and Lavandula latifolia. On the contrary, the best results for the antifungal test against Rhizopus stolonifer were produced by non-polar herbal extracts. Phlomis lychnitis, Salvia pratensis and Calamintha sylvatica caused the highest inhibition on Rhizopus growth.