Selective ABTS radical-scavenging activity of prenylated flavonoids from Cudrania tricuspidata

The antioxidative properties of five prenylated flavonoids, including new flavanone (2), from the root bark of Cudrania tricuspidata were examined against the ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals. In most of the assays to determine their antioxidative properties, the ABTS activity was strongly correlated with DPPH because both methods are responsible for the same chemical property of hydrogen- or electron-donation to the antioxidant. On the other hand, the prenylated flavonoids (1-5) acted differently with both methods; namely, all the prenylated flavonoids strongly scavenged the ABTS radical (IC(50) < 10 microM), while they were inactive against the DPPH radical (IC(50) > 300 microM). Even though isolated 5,7,2',4',-tetrahydroxy-6,5'-diprenylflavanone (3) showed weak reducing power (746 mV) by cyclic voltammetry when compared to quercetin (394 mV), both had similar ABTS activity (IC(50) < 5 microM).