Soroush Bijani - Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
Zahra Gharari - Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran.
Alireza Ahmadnia - Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
Hossein Danafar - Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
Ali Sharafi - Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.

Background: Flavonoid-derived components have been studied for their therapeutic properties.  Objectives: Apigenin has shown remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory features, so we should have a reliable source of apigenin. Methods: In this study, we used high-performance liquid chromatography method to compare the amount of apigenin in flower, root, leaf, and stem of three varieties of osmos bipinnatus, i.e., ‘Dazzler,’ ‘Xanthos,’ ‘Sensation Pinkie’, and in transgenic root culture of C. bipinnatus ‘Dazzler’. Besides, the antioxidant activity of C. bipinnatus ‘Dazzler’ transgenic root culture was evaluated using Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay.  Results: Dazzler variety flowers showed the highest recovery of apigenin with ۰.۷۹۹ mg/۱۰۰ mg Dry Weight (DW). However, the Sensation pinkie variety leafs had the lowest recovery with ۰.۰۸۹ mg/۱۰۰mg. Apigenin content in transformed roots (۰.۷۹۷ mg/۱۰۰ mg DW) of C. bipinnatus ‘Dazzler’ was significantly higher than non-transformed roots (۰.۴۲ mg/۱۰۰ mg DW). The ethanolic extract of hairy root showed the FRAP value of ۶۶۸.۱ µM Fe۲+/mg that was comparatively more than the wild root FRAP value (۴۲۶.۲ µM Fe۲+/mg). Conclusion: In conclusion, the presence of apigenin in high amounts in hairy root cultures of C. bipinnatus ‘Dazzler’ indicates its great potential for the future pharmaceutical industry.

Apigenin, Antioxidant, Cosmos bipinnatus, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP)