Abstract: This study was conducted in order to determine the presence of butein in Salvia leriifolia root (SLR). In addition, total antioxidant activity and reducing ability of the methanolic extract of SLR was evaluated using phosphomolybdenum method and reducing power method respectively. Antioxidant efficiency in real systems was assessed in sun-flower oil. Thermal resistance and antioxidant efficiency of SLR extract at high temperatures (90,120 and 150 ºC) was studied using rancimat method. Results showed that antioxidant capacity of SLR extract (945 meq/g) was higher than BHT (726 meq/g) and ascorbic acid (745 meq/g). Comparison the oxidation preventive coefficient in sun-flower oil heated at 80°C indicated that SLR extract was more effective than BHT and \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"-tocopherol. Rancimat method showed that antioxidant activity was higher than BHT and \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"-tocopherol. Antioxidant efficiency decreased with increasing temperature. It was observed that SLR extract had high synergistic effects with BHT. HPLC was used in order to determine the presence of butein in SLR extract. A sample of butein from leaf that previously prepared and purified by TLC method was used as standard. A pick at 1.850 min. was observed in standard sample of butein. This pick also observed in chromatogram of the SLR extract. In addition, a fraction was observed in TLC fractionation of SLR extract whit a RF similar to butein (0.29)

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