Four sub-fractions of Carthamus caeruleus L (whichbelongs to the family Asteraceae) root extracts, i.e., methanol (CE), chloroform (CHE), ethyl acetate (EAE) and aqueous (AE) extracts were screened for their total phenolics, flavonoids and possible antioxidant activities, using DPPH free radical-scavenging and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays. The results indicated that total polyphenols were highest in EAE followed by CHE. However, the free radical scavenging activity of CHE was higher than the other extracts with an IC50 value of 53.26 µg/mL. Determination of quercetin, gallic acid and rutin showed antioxidant activity as positive controls in parallel experiments. Moreover, oxidation of linoleic acid was effectively inhibited by AE, EAE and CE which were too close to each other. Also, the CHE was more effective compared to the synthetic antioxidant BHT. It could be concluded that Carthamus caeruleus L growing wild in the Mediterranean regions and especially in Algeria has a potent antioxidant activity and could be evaluated as a starting point for further investigations.Four sub-fractions of Carthamus caeruleus L (which belongs to the family Asteraceae) root extracts,i.e., methanol (CE), chloroform (CHE), ethyl acetate (EAE) and aqueous (AE) extracts were screenedfor their total phenolics, flavonoids and possible antioxidant activities, using DPPH free radicalscavengingand β-carotene/linoleic acid assays. The results indicated that total polyphenols werehighest in EAE followed by CHE. However, the free radical scavenging activity of CHE was higherthan the other extracts with an IC50 value of 53.26 μg/mL. Determination of quercetin, gallic acid andrutin showed antioxidant activity as positive controls in parallel experiments. Moreover, oxidation oflinoleic acid was effectively inhibited by AE, EAE and CE which were too close to each other. Also,the CHE was more effective compared to the synthetic antioxidant BHT. It could be concluded thatCarthamus caeruleus L growing wild in the Mediterranean regions and especially in Algeria has apotent antioxidant activity and could be evaluated as a starting point for further investigations. Propriedades dos radicais antioxidantes extraídos de Carthamus caeruleus L nativosda flora da ArgéliaQuarto sub-frações extraídas da raiz de Carthamus caeruleus L (que pertencem à famíliaAsteraceae), i.e., metanol (CE), clorofórmio (CHE), acetato de etil (EAE) e extratos aquosos foramexaminados minuciosamente quanto aos seus fenólicos, flanóides e suas atividades antioxidantespossíveis, usando DPPH extração de radicais livres e B-caroteno/ácido linoléico. Os resultadosindicaram que os polifenóis totais foram maiores em EAE seguido de CHE. Entretanto, a atividadede extração de radicais livres em CHE foi maior que de outros extratos com um valor de IC50 de of5326 μg/mL. A determinação de quercetina ácido gálico e rutina demonstrou que a atividade deantioxidante funciona como controle positive em experimentos paralelos. Além disso, a oxidaçãode ácido lenoico foi efetivamente inibida por AE, EAE e CE que estavam muito próximos uns aosoutros. Também, o CHE foi mais eficaz se comparado ao antioxidante sintético BHT. Foi possívelconcluir que Carthamus caeruleus L nativos das nas regiões do Mediterrâneo, e, especialmente naArgélia, tem uma potente atividade antioxidante e poderia ser avaliada como o ponto de partidapara investigações futuras.