Evaluation of Superoxide Scavenging Activities of Hamamelis Extract and Hamamelitannin

Hamamelitannin, which is a component of bark extract of hamamelis (Hamamelis virginior L.), was found to be a potent scavenger of superoxide anion radicals. Superoxide anion scavenging activity of the compound was evaluated by ESR-spin trap method using DMPO (5,5′-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide) as a spin trapping agent. The IC₅₀ value (the concentration producing 50% inhibition of superoxide anion radicals) of hamamelitannin was found to be 1.38 ± 0.06 μM much lower than that of ascorbic acid (23.31 ± 2.23 μM). Supporting the superoxide scavenging activity of hamamelitannin, the compound showed both suppresive ability against depolymelization of hyaluronic acid and protective ability against cytotoxicity induced by superoxide anion radicals. Hamamelitannin increased the survival rate of fibroblast to 85.5 ± 3.3%, compared with that of control (27.2 ± 4.3%).     

Evaluation of Superoxide Scavenging Activities of Hamamelis Extract and Hamamelitannin

Hamamelitannin, which is a component of bark extract of hamamelis (Hamamelis virginior L.), was found to be a potent scavenger of superoxide anion radicals. Superoxide anion scavenging activity of the compound was evaluated by ESR-spin trap method using DMPO (5,5'-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide) as a spin trapping agent. The IC₅₀ value (the concentration producing 50% inhibition of superoxide anion radicals) of hamamelitannin was found to be 1.38 ± 0.06 μM much lower than that of ascorbic acid (23.31 ± 2.23 μM). Supporting the superoxide scavenging activity of hamamelitannin, the compound showed both suppresive ability against depolymelization of hyaluronic acid and protective ability against cytotoxicity induced by superoxide anion radicals. Hamamelitannin increased the survival rate of fibroblast to 85.5 ± 3.3%, compared with that of control (27.2 ± 4.3%).     

Superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of vegetable extracts measured using electron spin resonance.

Radical scavenging by reconstituted lyophilized powders of water extracts from 16 common vegetables was measured using electron spin resonance (ESR) with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), hydroxyl radicals, (.OH) or superoxide anion radicals (O2.-), as DMPO-OH or DMPO-OOH spin adducts. On a dry weight basis, eggplant, and red, yellow and green bell pepper extracts showed potent superoxide anion radical scavenging activities (SOD-like activities). Ascorbate oxidase- or heat-treatments, decreased SOD-like activities in bell pepper extracts suggesting that ascorbate accounts for much of their free radical scavenging activity. Eggplant epidermis extract exhibited the most potent hydroxyl radical scavenging and SOD-like activities. Eggplant SOD-like activity did not decrease after ascorbate oxidase treatment, but decreased following ultrafiltration demonstrating that SOD-like activity is partially due to high molecular weight substances. Nasunin, an anthocyanin in eggplant epidermis, showed markedly potent superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, while it inhibited hydroxyl radical generation probably by chelating ferrous ion.     

枇杷花茶水提物的镇咳、抗炎与抗氧化作用研究

采用小鼠氨水致咳法研究枇杷花茶水提物镇咳效果,以二甲苯致小鼠耳肿胀法研究其抗炎效果,并从枇杷花茶的还原能力及对超氧阴离子和羟自由基的清除作用分析枇杷花茶水提物的抗氧化效果。结果表明,枇杷花茶的水提物高剂量组(3000 mg·kg-1)、低剂量组(700 mg·kg-1)均有镇咳抗炎效果,水提物的浓度越高,效果越好。各浓度枇杷花茶水提物均表现出一定的还原能力,对于羟基自由基和超氧阴离子都有一定的清除效果。其中,20 mg·mL-1水提物还原效果最好(吸光值0.903),超过0.2 mg·mL-1抗坏血酸(吸光值0.814);10 mg·mL-1的水提物对超氧阴离子的清除率为47.32%;20 mg·mL-1水提物对于羟基自由基的清除效果非常明显,清除率为91.62%。枇杷花茶水提物镇咳、抗炎、抗氧化效果明显。     

杨桃提取物体外清除氧自由基作用

从杨桃果中提取得到三种提取物为匀浆提取物、蛋白提取物和多糖提取物。采用化学发光法测定这三种提取物清除氧自由基的活性,实验结果:匀浆提取物清除羟自由基(·OH)和H2O2的活性大小相近,而清除超氧阴离子自由基(O2–·)的活性较小,其IC50约为前两者的4倍。蛋白提取物清除O2–·和·OH的活性大小相近,而清除H2O2的活性明显小于前两者,IC50约为前两者的9倍。多糖提取物清除.OH的活性明显大于清除O2–·和H2O2的活性,其IC50约为O2–·的1/22,约为H2O2的1/65。结果表明,杨桃果具有清除O2–·、·OH和H2O2的作用,不同提取物对这些活性氧自由基的清除能力有所不同。     

余甘子活性成分含量与抗氧化性研究

研究了不同产地余甘子的总多酚、黄酮和多糖含量,同时测定了各产地余甘子提取物的抗氧化活性。结果表明,广东野生品种鲜果的总多酚含量、总黄酮含量和水溶性多糖含量最高,它们在每克干果中的含量分别为(204.15±6.85)mg没食子酸当量、(81.11±8.67)mg芦丁当量和(19.78±1.22)mg葡萄糖当量。广东野生品种提取物的抗氧化活性较高,其还原力为1.344±0.14,羟基自由基和超氧阴离子自由基的清除力分别为91.50%±3.53%,92.31%±1.30%。广东栽培种提取物的DPPH自由基清除力最高,达到92.09%±1.52%。     

Colonization of Metarhizium anisopliae on the surface of pine tree logs: A promising biocontrol strategy for the Japanese pine sawyer,Monochamus alternatus

We investigated the colonization potential of five Metarhizium anisopliae isolates on pine tree surfaces under laboratory conditions, determined the influence of the pine bark extract on fungal growth and evaluated the insecticidal activity following colonization on the Japanese pine sawyer. Finally, the effect of colonization on adults pine sawyer was evaluated using the top three performing isolates (JEF-197, JEF-271 and JEF-279) under laboratory and field conditions. As a result, isolate JEF-197 showed the highest conidial production on the pine surfaces, and five isolates, including JEF-197, showed higher hyphal growth on autoclaved pine bark extract agar, compared to a water agar. Pine bark treated with the isolates showed 40–70 % mortality of adults pine sawyer. Under mimicked overwintering conditions, in the JEF-197 treatment group, 40 % of the inserted larvae became adults and all were dead after 59 d. In a field test, colonized isolate JEF-197 also showed 37 % insecticidal activity against emerged adults from the pine logs as overwintering sites. This work suggests that M. anisopliae isolate JEF-197 possibly colonized the pine surface and application of a conidial suspension on the pine logs as overwintering sites could be an effective strategy to control the pine sawyer.     

Evaluation of radical scavenging potential and total phenol content in Woodfordia fruticosa from different altitudes

Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz is a member of family Lythraceae, commonly used in the treatment of diseases like leucorrhoea, dysentery, leprosy and menorrhagia. The plant material such as leaves, bark and flowers were collected from three different (200, 402 and 600?m) altitudes of Khandala (M.S. India) and the extracts were prepared in solvents like methanol, ethanol and distilled water. The radical scavenging potential and total phenolic content of the extracts were evaluated. The methanol extract of bark collected from the location one (200?m) showed high radical scavenging activity (96.52?±?0.02) than distilled water and ethanol extracts (57.80?±?0.2 and 86.52?±?0.03). The bark of the plant showed highest (663?±?37.85) total phenolic content that of flowers and leaves. The methanol extracts of leaves, bark and flowers showed high tannic acid content, while TBARS assay of ethanol extract of flowers showed maximum protection (27.65). It was observed that there is no significant difference in percent scavenging activity in different plant parts collected from three different altitudes but showed difference in the solvent system used. The results obtained are in support of extensive use of Woodfordia fruticosa in traditional medicine and endorses the use of bark, while it needs further investigations on the plants growing in different geographic areas.     

Production of fermented needle extracts from red pine and their functional characterization

Pine needle (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) extract is being used for millennia in treatment of multiple ailments in Asia Pacific region. The extract is a composite mixture of a number of organic compounds. Terpenoid is one of such complex compounds that exhibit useful effects. To remove harmful substances with improving functionality of the extract, people adopt traditional spontaneous fermentation followed by aging. To assess the fermentation induced effectiveness we analyzed composition of the volatile terpenoid in fresh to the 7 years old self-fermented extracts along with their anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties. Simultaneously, we also analyzed the effect of remarkably changed 1,8-cineole and camphor. SFPEs (self-fermented pine needle extracts), 1,8-cineole, and camphor inhibited growth of bacterial strains like Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis. Comparative studies between pine needle extracts, 1,8-cineole and camphor showed that the self-fermented pine needle extracts retard the bacterial growth effectively and have relatively higher antioxidant activities. PE (pine needle extract) and SFPEs showed nearly 95% DPPH radical scavenging activities, 1,8-cineole 84% while camphor showed no scavenging activities. The results showed that self-fermentation and aging improves the effects of the extract therefore it could be a good source for nutraceutical product.     

Antioxidant activity and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases by metabolites of maritime pine bark extract (pycnogenol)

The procyanidin-rich maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol has well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. After oral administration of Pycnogenol two major metabolites are formed in vivo, delta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M1) and delta-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M2). We elucidated the effects of these metabolites on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and determined their antioxidant activity to understand their contribution to the effects of maritime pine bark extract. We discovered strong inhibitory effects of M1 and M2 toward the activity of MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9. On a microgram-per-milliliter basis both metabolites appeared more active than Pycnogenol. The metabolites were more effective than their metabolic precursor (+)-catechin in MMP inhibition. On a cellular level, we detected highly potent prevention of MMP-9 release by both metabolites, with concentrations of 0.5 microM resulting in about 50% inhibition of MMP-9 secretion. M1 was significantly more effective in superoxide scavenging than (+)-catechin, ascorbic acid, and trolox, while M2 displayed no scavenging activity. Both metabolites exhibited antioxidant activities in a redox-linked colorimetric assay, with M1 being significantly more potent than all other compounds tested. Thus, our data contribute to the comprehension of Pycnogenol effects and provide a rational basis for its use in prophylaxis and therapy of disorders related to imbalanced or excessive MMP activity.     

In vitro antioxidant activity of Diospyros malabarica Kostel bark

Antioxidant activity of defatted methanol extract of D. malabarica bark was studied for its free radical scavenging property on different in vitro models e.g. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxyl radical and lipid peroxide radical model. The extract showed good dose-dependent free radical scavenging property in all the models except in hydroxyl radical inhibition assay. IC50 values were found to be 9.16, 13.21, 25.27 and 17.33 microg/ml respectively in DPPH, nitric oxide, superoxide and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. In hydroxyl radical inhibition assay 1000 microg/ml extract showed only 10% inhibition with respect to the control. Measurement of total phenolic compounds by Folin-Ciocalteu's phenol reagent indicated that 1 mg of the extract contained 120.7 microg equivalent of pyrocatechol. The results indicate that the antioxidant property of the extract may be due to the high content of phenolic compounds. However, the underlying mechanism may not involve hydroxyl radical scavenging property.     

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol extract of Phellinus rimosus (Berk) Pilat

The methanolic extract of a macrofungus, P. rimosus possessed significant in vitro superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibiting activities. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was evaluated in carrageenan and dextran induced acute and formalin induced chronic inflammatory models in mice. The extract showed remarkable anti-inflammatory activity in both models, comparable to the standard reference drug diclofenac. The results suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extract of P. rimosus is possibly attributed to it's free radical scavenging properties. The findings also reveal the potential therapeutic value of P.rimosus extract as an antiinflammatory agent.     

樟子松乙醇提取物体外抗氧化活性研究

测定了樟子松球果、树皮、树叶、木质部4个部位提取物的总抗氧化能力、总还原力、二苯代苦味酰基（DPPH·）清除能力、羟基自由基（·OH）清除能力、超氧阴离子（O^·₂）清除能力5个指标,并以抗坏血酸（Vc）为阳性对照评价从樟子松4个部位提取的松多酚体外抗氧化活性。结果表明：（1）从樟子松树皮中提取的樟子松多酚表现出较强的抗氧化能力,在较高浓度下与抗氧化剂（Vc）相差较小;从樟子松球果中提取的樟子松多酚也表现出较强的还原力,甚至超过阳性对照抗氧化剂Vc;（2）从樟子松树皮中提取的樟子松多酚在二苯代苦味酰基（DPPH·）清除能力、羟基自由基（·OH）清除能力上均为三者之中最高的,但都不超过抗氧化剂（Vc）的抗氧化能;（3）超氧阴离子（O^·₂）清除能力。三者的清除率均为负值,说明该方法测定超氧阴离子（O^·₂）清除率存在干扰因素,无法比较三者在这一指标上的能力大小。上述结果表明樟子松乙醇提取物具有较强的抗氧化能力,可作为天然的抗氧化剂。     

罗汉果不同溶剂提取物抗氧化及清除活性氧自由基作用

以水、甲醇、乙醇和乙酸乙酯为溶剂,对罗汉果干果进行提取,分别采用磷钼酸铵体系、邻苯三酚自氧化体系、Fenton反应体系和卵黄脂质过氧化体系测定各种提取物的总抗氧化性能、超氧阴离子自由基和羟基自由基清除性能及其抗脂质过氧化作用。结果表明,四种溶剂提取物均具较强的抗氧化性和活性氧自由基清除性能,其能力的大小顺序为:乙酸乙酯提取物>水提物>甲醇提取物>乙醇提取物。     

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of lichen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Usnea ghattensis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Various solvent extracts of the lichen Usnea ghattensis showed good antioxidant activity. A methanol extract prevented lipid peroxidation by 87% followed by 65% in Trolox at 20 μg/ml. It also showed superoxide anion scavenging activity and free radical scavenging activity 56% and 73%, respectively. The known antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisol (BHA) and quercetin at similar concentrations showed superoxide anion scavenging activity of 68, 59 and 47% and free radical scavenging activity 83, 77 and 69%, respectively. In addition, these extracts were inhibitory against Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values of 5–10 μg/ml.Received after revisions 10 May 2005     

Evaluation of antioxidant properties of root bark of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Anantmul).

Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) is a well known drug in Ayurveda system of medicine. In the present study, antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of H. indicus root bark was evaluated in several in vitro and ex vivo models. Further, preliminary phytochemical analysis and TLC fingerprint profile of the extract was established to characterize the extract which showed antioxidant properties. The in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant potential of root bark of H. indicus was evaluated in different systems viz. radical scavenging activity by DPPH reduction, superoxide radical scavenging activity in riboflavin/light/NBT system, nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging activity in sodium nitroprusside/Greiss reagent system and inhibition of lipid peroxidation induced by iron-ADP-ascorbate in liver homogenate and phenylhydrazine induced haemolysis in erythrocyte membrane stabilization study. The extract was found to have different levels of antioxidant properties in the models tested. In scavenging DPPH and superoxide radicals, its activity was intense (EC50 = 18.87 and 19.9 microg/ml respectively) while in scavenging NO radical, it was moderate. It also inhibited lipid peroxidation of liver homogenate (EC50 = 43.8 microg/ml) and the haemolysis induced by phenylhydrazine (EC50 = 9.74 microg/ml) confirming the membrane stabilization activity. The free radical scavenging property may be one of the mechanisms by which this drug is effective in several free radical mediated disease conditions.     

Gradients and dynamics of inner bark and needle osmotic potentials in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst)

Preconditions of phloem transport in conifers are relatively unknown. We studied the variation of needle and inner bark axial osmotic gradients and xylem water potential in Scots pine and Norway spruce by measuring needle and inner bark osmolality in saplings and mature trees over several periods within a growing season. The needle and inner bark osmolality was strongly related to xylem water potential in all studied trees. Sugar concentrations were measured in Scots pine, and they had similar dynamics to inner bark osmolality. The sucrose quantity remained fairly constant over time and position, whereas the other sugars exhibited a larger change with time and position. A small osmotic gradient existed from branch to stem base under pre‐dawn conditions, and the osmotic gradient between upper stem and stem base was close to zero. The turgor in branches was significantly driven by xylem water potential, and the turgor loss point in branches was relatively close to daily minimum needle water potentials typically reported for Scots pine. Our results imply that xylem water potential considerably impacts the turgor pressure gradient driving phloem transport and that gravitation has a relatively large role in phloem transport in the stems of mature Scots pine trees.     

Phlorotannins as Radical Scavengers from the Extract of Sargassum ringgoldianum

To screen algal phlorotannins with antioxidative activities, 50% ethanol extracts of 25 Japanese marine algae were evaluated. Scavenging activity against superoxide anion radicals was frequently found with a high content of total phenolic compounds. Among these, the extract from the brown seaweed, Sargassum ringgoldianum, showed the strongest scavenging activity. The active fraction contained a mixture of high molecular weight polyphenols, phlorotannins that were found to be polymerized bifuhalol, as analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The scavenging activity of the fraction against superoxide anion radicals was estimated to be 1.0 μg/ml (IC₅₀), which were approximately five times stronger than that of catechin.     

Radical scavenging activities of Rio Red grapefruits and Sour orange fruit extracts in different in vitro model systems

Antioxidant fractions from two different citrus species such as Rio Red (Citrus paradise Macf.) and Sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) were extracted with five different polar solvents using Soxhlet type extractor. The total phenolic content of the extracts was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. Ethyl acetate extract of Rio Red and Sour orange was found to contain maximum phenolics. The dried fractions were screened for their antioxidant activity potential using in vitro model systems such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), phosphomolybdenum method and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction at different concentrations. The methanol:water (80:20) fraction of Rio Red showed the highest radical scavenging activity 42.5%, 77.8% and 92.1% at 250, 500 and 1000 ppm, respectively, while methanol:water (80:20) fraction of Sour orange showed the lowest radical scavenging activity at all the tested concentrations. All citrus fractions showed good antioxidant capacity by the formation of phosphomolybdenum complex at 200 ppm. In addition, superoxide radical scavenging activity was assayed using non-enzymatic (NADH/phenaxine methosulfate) superoxide generating system. All the extracts showed variable superoxide radical scavenging activity. Moreover, methanol:water (80:20) extract of Rio Red and methanol extract of Sour orange exhibited marked reducing power in potassium ferricyanide reduction method. The data obtained using above in vitro models clearly establish the antioxidant potential of citrus fruit extracts. However, comprehensive studies need to be conducted to ascertain the in vivo bioavailability, safety and efficacy of such extracts in experimental animals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on antioxidant activity of different polar extracts from Rio Red and Sour oranges.     

Antioxidant activities of different parts of Gnetum gnemon L.

Analyses on biological activities of Gnetum gnemon were done to determine the total phenolic and antioxidants of the plant. Four parts of G. gnemon were used in this study, which were leaf, bark, twig, and seeds of the plant. All parts were extracted in methanol, ethanol, hexane, chloroform and hot water using reflux. The total phenolic content of the plant extracts were determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu method. The results demonstrated that the bark from hot water extract showed the highest total phenolic at 10.71?±?0.01 mg GAE/ FDW, while the lowest was chloroform extract of seed at 2.15?±?0.01 mg GAE/ FDW. The antioxidant activity of the plant extracts were determined by using DPPH and FRAP assays, respectively. The DPPH results showed that all plant extracts demonstrated weak free radical scavenging activity tested at the final concentration of 300 μg/ml. In contrast, the methanolic twig extract showed strong reducing power activity (FRAP) at 83.55?±?1.05%, while the hot water seed extract showed the least activity at 41.86?±?4.22% tested at the final concentration of 300 μg/ml. However, there were no correlation between total phenolics and both antioxidant assays tested.