The aim of this study is to evaluate in vitro antioxidant activities of Ruta montana L. extracts. This activity was evaluated by three methods : DPPH (2, 2'-diphenyl- 1- picrylhydrazy), bleaching of β-carotene and chelation of ferrous iron. Results showed that ethyl acetate extract (EAE) represents the highest amount of total polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids with 257,1 ± 0,703µg gallic acid equivalent/mg of extract, 251 ± 1.41 µg tannic acid equivalent /mg of extract,117,4 ± 3,451 µg quercetin equivalents/mg of extract, 139,5 ± 4,107 µg rutin equivalents/mg of extract, respectively. In the DPPH assay, ethyl acetate extract showed the higher scavenging capacity (IC50 = 0.044 ± 0.001 mg/ml) followed by methanol, aqueous and chloroform extract. Whereas, AqE showed the best chelating effect and the best inhibitory capacity of the coupled oxidation of linoleic acid/ β-carotene.
 Keywords: Ruta montana L; polyphenols; antioxidant activity; free radical scavenging.
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