Evaluation of antioxidant activity of leafy vegetables and beans with myoglobin method

Key message

Antioxidant activity of seven leafy vegetables and four beans against five reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species was clearly characterized with a protocol using myoglobin as a reporter probe.

Abstract

Antioxidant activity of seven leafy vegetables and four beans against peroxyl radical, hydroxyl radical, hypochlorite ion, and peroxynitrite ion has been measured using myoglobin as a reporter probe (myoglobin method). Conventional DPPH method was also used to evaluate antioxidant activity of the samples. Difference of activity against different reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) was characterized by plotting the data in a 5-axe cobweb chart. This plot clearly showed the characteristics of the antioxidant activity of the leafy vegetables and the beans. The samples examined in this work were categorized into four groups. (1) The samples showed high antioxidant activity against all ROS and RNS: daikon sprout, spinach, Qing-geng-cai, and onion. (2) The samples showed high antioxidant activity against peroxyl radical: red bean and soy bean. (3) The samples showed high antioxidant against hypochlorite ion: broccoli floret, cabbage, and Chinese cabbage. (4) The samples showed weak antioxidant activity against all ROS and RNS: cowpea and common beans. Our protocol is probably useful to characterize antioxidant activity of the crops of different cultivars, the crops obtained in different growing environments and growing seasons, the crops harvested at different age, and the crops stored in the different conditions, as well as the changes of activity during cooking process of the crops.     

Antioxidant activities of extracts and fractions from Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance

The antioxidant activities of water extract, methanol extract, ethyl acetate, and n-BuOH fractions of methanol extract from Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance were investigated in this study. Various methods, such as the total antioxidant capacity measured by phosphomolybdenum method, scavenging activities towards 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion radical, and hydroxyl radical, were established in in vitro systems. The amounts of total phenolics and total flavonoids in the extracts and fractions were also determined by spectrophotometric methods. The results showed that all the extracts and fractions exhibited antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities at different magnitudes of potency. The decreasing order of antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities among the extracts assayed through all the four methods were found to be ethyl acetate fraction>n-BuOH fraction>methanol extract>water extract. This similar order of the amounts of total phenolics and total flavonoids shows that the extent of antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities is in accordance with the amounts of phenolics and flavonoids present in extracts and fractions. The extracts of L. foenum-graecum Hance might be valuable antioxidant natural sources and seemed to be applicable in both healthy medicine and food industry.     

New polyphenolic beta-lactams with antioxidant activity

Novel 4-alkylidene-beta-lactams with a polyphenolic side chain were synthesized and evaluated as radical scavengers. We have undertaken a detailed study of the antioxidant activity in vitro with chemical and biological testing of the new beta-lactams and of the corresponding methyl polyhydroxy benzoates. Antioxidant activity of beta-lactams and methyl benzoates was measured with the Briggs-Rauscher oscillating reaction, the TEAC (Trolox( Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity) assay, and as ability to inhibit ROS (=Reactive Oxygen Species) production on myoblast H9c2 cells. The results were discussed with regard to mechanism and correlated with structural parameters.     

The influence of wine polyphenols on reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production by murine macrophages RAW 264.7

The aim was to study the antioxidant properties of four wine polyphenols (flavonoids catechin, epicatechin, and quercetin, and hydroxystilbene resveratrol). All three flavonoids exerted significant and dose-dependent scavenging effects against peroxyl radical and nitric oxide in chemical systems. The scavenging effect of resveratrol was significantly lower. All polyphenols decreased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by RAW264.7 macrophages. Only quercetin quenched ROS produced by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages incubated for 24 h with polyphenols. Quercetin and resveratrol decreased the release of nitric oxide by these cells in a dose-dependent manner which corresponded to a decrease in iNOS expression in the case of quercetin. In conclusion, the higher number of hydroxyl substituents is an important structural feature of flavonoids in respect to their scavenging activity against ROS and nitric oxide, while C-2,3 double bond (present in quercetin and resveratrol) might be important for inhibition of ROS and nitric oxide production by RAW 264.7 macrophages.     

Quantitative structure-activity relationship analyses of antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities for hydroxybenzalacetones

Antioxidant activities for a series of hydroxybenzalacetones, OH-BZ, were evaluated by measuring inhibitory potencies of OH-BZ against lipid peroxidation induced by t-BuOOH or gamma-irradiation. Their quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies indicated that the activities are mainly governed by electronic and steric factors. To rationalize these results, we also performed QSAR analyses for DPPH radical scavenging activities of OH-BZ, which indicated that antioxidant and radical scavenging activities could be expressed by the same physicochemical parameters but the hydrogen bonding behavior of phenolic OH varies with the reaction medium.     

Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts of Maytenus emarginata

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a metabolic side product of oxidative stress process, which causes several diseases like atherosclerosis, cancer, etc. In defense of ROS, antioxidants play a key role in combating them. As the process of aging increases, the level of antioxidants in our body decreases and thereby needs utmost attention for its repair process, which is generally administered externally. Plant products serve a best source for controlling these activities by its own metabolic pathway. Studies on the antioxidant activities of Maytenus emarginata leaf extracts are lacking. Antioxidant activity of the methanol extract of Maytenus emarginata was determined by DPPH free radical nitric oxide scavenging assays, superoxide ion scavenging assays, ABTS, and iron chelating methods. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that the extract of Maytenus emarginata leaves possesses phenols, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, and triterpenoids. The extract showed significant activities in all antioxidant assays compared to the standard antioxidant (ascorbic acid) in a dose-dependent manner, and remarkable activities to scavenge ROS may be attributed by the presence of the above active compounds in the leaves. The amount of total phenolics and flavonoid contents were also estimated. The DPPH, ABTS, Nitric oxide, superoxide, and iron chelating IC(50) values of the methanolic extracts were 12.44, 24.27, 22.41, 5.85, and 2.74?μg/mL, respectively. The total phenolic content of the methanolic extract was 10.69?mg CA/g, whereas the total flavonoid was 1.56?mg CAE/g. The antioxidant activities were correlated with the total phenolic content. This result suggests that the relatively high antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract compared to standard could be possibly be due to its high phenolic content.     

Isolation and HPLC quantitative analysis of antioxidant flavonoids from Alternanthera tenella Colla

Phytochemical analysis of the antioxidant ethanolic extract of Alternanthera tenella Colla led to the isolation of six flavonoids, acacetin 8-C-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (1), 2"-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-vitexin (2), 2"-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-vitexin (3), vitexin (4), quercetin (5) and kaempferol (6). All the structures were established by ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopic methods. Antioxidant capacity of extract, fractions and isolated compounds was determined using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay and extract, fractions and flavonoids isolated showed antioxidant activity in vitro. Moreover, the total soluble phenolic contents of the extract and fractions were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and the quantitative analysis of flavone C-glycosides major constituents was performed by HPLC.     

Phenolic production and antioxidant properties of some Macedonian medicinal plants

Investigations have been made to study the production of phenolic compounds (total phenolics, flavonoids and phenylpropanoids) and total antioxidant capacity in 27 Macedonian traditional medicinal plants to improve its potential as a source of natural antioxidants. Antioxidant potential of plant extracts was analyzed by five different assays: cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), phosphomolybdenum method (PM), reducing power (RP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^·) and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS^·+) radical scavenging activity. Origanum vulgare extract consistently exhibited the highest content of phenolic compounds and the strongest antioxidant capacity based on the tests performed, and can be proposed as a promising source of natural antioxidants. Melissa officinalis and Salvia ringens were also identified as valuable sources of antioxidant compounds. A positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolics, flavonoids and phenylpropanoids indicates that these compounds are likely to be the main antioxidants contributing to the observed activities of evaluated plants. These findings suggest that the medicinal plants studied in this paper are good sources of bioactive compounds for the food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Purification and characterization of an antioxidant peptide obtained from tuna backbone protein by enzymatic hydrolysis

To utilize fish processing waste, tuna backbone protein was hydrolyzed using different proteases (alcalase, α-chymotrypsin, neutrase, papain, pepsin and trypsin) for production of antioxidant peptide. Antioxidant activities of hydrolysates were evaluated using lipid peroxidation inhibition assay and direct free radical scavenging activity by using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer. Among hydrolysates, peptic hydrolysate exhibited the highest antioxidant activity compared to other hydrolysates. To identify antioxidant peptide, peptic hydrolysate was purified using consecutive chromatographic methods, and the antioxidant peptide was identified to be VKAGFAWTANQQLS (1519 Da) by Q-TOF ESI mass spectroscopy. The antioxidant activities of antioxidant peptide from tuna backbone protein (APTBP) was evaluated, and the results show that APTBP significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation in linoleic acid emulsion system and also quenched free radicals (DPPH, hydroxyl and superoxide) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, APTBP did not show any cytotoxic effect against MRC-5 and ECV304 cell lines.     

Antioxidant activity of polyphenolic extracts of Ichnocarpus frutescens

In the present study antioxidant activities by (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical inhibition, hemolysis by hydrogen peroxide assay, reducing power and total antioxidant activities of polyphenolic extract of Ichnocarpus frutescens leaves were investigated. The flavonoids and total polyphenolic contents of the extract were also determined using standard methods. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins and simple phenolic acids. The results of antioxidant activities of polyphenol extract obtained by different in vitro methods were varied depending on the method used. Nevertheless, polyphenol extract showed significant inhibitory activities in all in vitro reactive oxygen species scavenging, might be attributed due to the high level of polyphenolic compound. Also, these various antioxidant activities were compared to α-tocopherol and l-ascorbic acid as reference antioxidant compounds. These findings provide evidence that the polyphenolic extract of I. frutescens is a natural source of antioxidant against oxidative damage.     

Protective effects of an extract from Citrus bergamia against inflammatory injury in interferon-γ and histamine exposed human keratinocytes

AimsThe present work evaluated the anti‐inflammatory/antioxidant activity of a well characterized extract from Citrus bergamia Risso and Poiteau (CBE), containing neoeriocitrin, naringin, neohesperidin and other flavonoids, on human NCTC 2544 keratinocytes treated with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and histamine (H).Main methodsHigh performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode array detectors was used to characterize and quantify phenolic compounds in CBE. Anti‐inflammatory/antioxidant ability on keratinocytes was determined through evaluation of inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression by Western blot, production of nitric oxide (NO) with Griess reagent and concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by fluorescent quantitative analysis with 2′,7′-dichlorfluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA). Cell viability was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2 thiazoyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Antioxidant activity was also measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were quantified using 1.9-dimethyl methylene blue (DMB).Key findingsCBE exhibited high antioxidant activity confirmed by elevated ORAC values related to high capacity in oxygen radical scavenging. The assays on keratinocytes demonstrated that CBE does not inhibit cell proliferation and is shown to significantly reduce dose-dependently ICAM-1, iNOS, NO, ROS and GAG production in cells exposed to IFN-γ and H.SignificanceOur study demonstrates that the pools of compounds of an extract from C. bergamia efficiently block the proinflammatory actions induced by IFN-γ and H on human keratinocytes. CBE may be used for topic employment in some inflammatory diseases of the skin and to represent an important opportunity for the essential oil processing industries.     

Phytochemical and Biological Activities in Limonium Species Collected in Different Biotopes of Tunisia

A particular interest is nowadays given to natural antioxidants occurring in foods which can reduce the risk of several diseases through their protective effect. The genus Limonium is widely distributed in different salt regions of Tunisia and known in traditional medicine for the presence of highly effective viral and bacterial replication inhibitors. Limonium leaves have possible beneficial effects on human health for their antioxidant activities and free radical scavenging abilities. To exploit the potential of plants from extreme environments as new sources of natural antioxidants, we studied the extracts from leaves of eight Limonium species growing in extreme environments in Tunisia. Antioxidant molecules (polyphenols, flavonoids, flavonols, ascorbate, tocopherols), in vitro (DPPH, ORAC) and ex vivo antioxidant potential on human erythrocytes, antioxidant enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidases, glutathione reductase) were evaluated to identify the species with the best antioxidant capacity. The results showed variability among the species considered in function of the environmental conditions of their natural biotopes, as for the antioxidants measured. In particular, L. vulgare from Oued Rane biotope, characterized by dryness and high temperatures, was the species with the highest enzymatic activity and antioxidant capacity, making it interesting as possible edible halophyte plant or as food complement.     

日本虫草子实体多糖抗氧化及免疫调节作用

为明确日本虫草子实体多糖（CJPs）的抗氧化活性及免疫调节作用,本研究以子实体为原料,采用热水浸提法得多糖,通过对ABTS自由基、DPPH自由基、·OH自由基清除能力评价CJPs的体外抗氧化活性;探讨CJPs对氢化可的松诱导的免疫抑制小鼠的免疫调节作用。结果表明,CJPs对ABTS、DPPH、·OH自由基均有明显的清除效果,且存在量效关系,IC₅₀分别为0.165、0.098、0.253mg/mL;灌胃CJPs的小鼠与模型组相比,免疫器官指数、巨噬细胞吞噬指数、血清中细胞因子水平、免疫球蛋白含量均有所提高,脾脏中乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）和酸性磷酸酶（ACP）的活力显著增强（P<0.05或P<0.01）。该研究表明CJPs是一种潜在的抗氧化剂,并能显著提高免疫低下小鼠的免疫功能,为其进一步研究和应用提供了科学依据。     

Target-guided isolation and purification of antioxidants from Selaginella sinensis by offline coupling of DPPH-HPLC and HSCCC experiments

Selaginella sinensis (Selaginellaceae) is used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of many kinds of chronic diseases. In this study, fractionation of the methanol extract of S. sinensis by different polarity solvents indicated the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited an potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity with the IC(50) value of 44.9 μM. In order to evaluate the scientific basis, antioxidant peaks were firstly screened using DPPH spiking test through high performance liquid chromatography (DPPH-HPLC). Under the target-guidance of DPPH-HPLC experiment, two flavonoids and six biflavonoids, quercetin (1), apigenin (2), amentoflavone (3), robustaflavone (4), 2,3-dihydroamentaflavone (5), hinokiflavone (6), 4'-O-methyl-robustaflavone (7) and ginkgetin (8) were separated by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) method using n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (8:8:9:7) as the solvent system with purities 98.2%, 97.6%, 99.4%, 92.3%, 98.5%, 98.9% and 99.6%, respectively. The structures were identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. Antioxidant activity of eight isolated compounds was assessed by the radical scavenging effect on DPPH radical, compound 1 showed strongest antioxidant activities with IC(50) values of 3.2 μM, while compounds 2-8 showed weak antioxidant activities. This is the first report on simultaneous separation of eight antioxidant compounds from S. sinensis by HSCCC, moreover, apigenin and 4'-O-methyl-robustaflavone were first identified from this plant. Results of the present study indicated that the combinative method using DPPH-HPLC and HSCCC could be widely applied for rapid screening and isolating of antioxidants from complex TCM extract.     

Antioxidant properties of complexes of flavonoids with metal ions

The formation of complexes of metal ions with the flavonoids quercetin (L1), rutin (L2), galangin (L3) and catechin (L4) has been investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy. The antioxidant activities of the compounds were evaluated by using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicalscavenging method. In this work, we have shown that the complexed flavonoids are much more effective free radical scavengers than the free flavonoids. We suggest that the higher antioxidant activity of the complexes is due to the acquisition of additional superoxide dismutating centers. Radical scavenging activities of the compounds were also investigated from an electrochemical point of view. There is a relationship between the logarithm of the antioxidant activity (represented by EC50) and the oxidation potential. The synergic effect of the complexes and ascorbic acid were studied by [13C]-NMR analyses. The results show that ascorbic acid can protect flavonoids from oxidative degradation, and reveal antioxidant synergies between ascorbic acid and the compounds.     

Comparison of the contents of the main biochemical compounds and the antioxidant activity of some Spanish olive oils as determined by four different radical scavenging tests

The aim of this study was to compare the contents of the main biochemical compounds and the antioxidant capacity of five Spanish olive oils by four different antioxidant tests and to find out the most valuable oil for disease preventing diets. Fatty acids, sterols and individual antioxidant compounds in Arbequina, Hojiblanca, Extra Virgin, Picual and Lampante Spanish olive oils were determined. Antioxidant activities were done as well using different radical scavenging activities: total radical-trapping antioxidative potential by ABAP (TRAP-ABAP), radical scavenging activity by DPPH (RSA-DPPH), antioxidant assay by beta-carotene-linoleate model system (AA-beta-carotene) and total antioxidant status by ABTS (TAA-ABTS). The highest content of all studied antioxidant compounds (353; 329; 4.6 and 2.7 mg/kg for tocopherols, tocotrienols, polyphenols and o-diphenols, respectively) was found in Extra Virgin oil. Also the highest antioxidant capacity was observed in Extra Virgin oil (668 nM/ml; 29.4%; 40.4% and 2.64 mM TE/kg for TRAP-ABAP, RSA-DPPH, AA- beta-carotene and TAA-ABTS, respectively). The correlation between total phenols and antioxidant capacities measured by four methods was very high, but the highest for the beta-carotene (R = 0.9958). In conclusion, the best method for determination of the antioxidant capacity of olive oils is the beta-carotene test. Extra Virgin olive oil has high organoleptic properties and the highest antioxidant activity. The above-mentioned makes this oil a preferable choice for diseases preventing diets.     

黄芩甙、茜草素、茶多酚和Trolox抗氧化能力的增强化学发光研究

应用辣根过氧化物－鲁米诺－过硼酸钠－对碘酚增强化学发光体系测量了四种抗氧化剂清除苯氧自由基的能力,并与其清除超氧阴离子和抗鼠肝微粒体脂质过氧化的能力相比较,结果表明,这四种抗氧化剂在不同系统中都有明显的抗氧化能力,抗氧化剂清除苯氧自由基比清除超氧阴离子的能力更接近于抗鼠肝微粒体脂质过氧化的能力,从而提示增强化学发光法在测定抗氧化剂的抗氧化能力上有良好的应用前景。     

Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of flavonoids by "ferric reducing antioxidant power" assay and cyclic voltammetry

Flavonoids, naturally occurring phenolic compounds, have recently been studied extensively for their antioxidant properties. The structure-antioxidant activity relationships (SAR) of flavonoids have been evaluated against different free radicals, but "ferric reducing antioxidant power" (FRAP) assay, which determines directly the reducing capacity of a compound, has not been used for this purpose. In this study, the antioxidant activities of 18 structurally different flavonoids were evaluated by FRAP assay modified to be used in 96-well microplates. Furthermore, their oxidation potentials were also measured, which were in the range of +0.3 V (myricetin) to +1.2 V (5-hydroxy flavone) and were in good agreement with FRAP assay results. Quercetin, fisetin and myricetin had the lowest oxidation potentials and appeared the most active compounds in FRAP assay and were 3.02, 2.52 and 2.28 times more active than Trolox, respectively. Indications were found that the o-dihydroxy structure in the B ring and the 3-hydroxy group and 2,3-double bond in the C ring give the highest contribution to the antioxidant activity.     

Anti-bacterial,anti-scavenging and cytotoxic activity of garden cress polysaccharides

Plants polysaccharides are an infinite stock of drug composites with varying pharmacological and biological activities. The present investigation aimed to examine the antibacterial, anti-scavenging and cytotoxic potential of garden cress (GC) polysaccharides. The antibacterial effects vs Escherichia coli and as well as Staphylococcus aureus of GC polysaccharides were examined by means of agar diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), outer and inner cell membrane permeability. Antioxidant potential of the GC polysaccharides were performed by free radical DPPH scavenging, superoxide anion scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, reducing power potential assay, and hydrogen peroxide method. Cytotoxicity potential of GC polysaccharides were evaluated by MTT assay in human cervical (HeLa) and liver carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. The findings showed that GC polysaccharides MIC were 1.06 and 0.56 mg mL⁻¹ against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. Compared to the standard inhibitor, the GC polysaccharides showed essential inhibitor assays in a very dose dependent approach, and notable actions to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) are also due to the large quantities of hydrophilic polyphenols. The IC₅₀ values of all tested parameters were measured against standard ascorbic acid antioxidant agent. The GC polysaccharides diminish the cell viability percentage of HeLa and HepG2 in a concentration dependent manner. GC polysaccharides at a dose of 500 µg ml⁻¹ exhibited higher anti-tumor activity in both HeLa (65.33 ± 3.75%) and HepG2 (60.33 ± 3.48%). The findings obtained in this study indicate that GC polysaccharides has antibacterial and has a possible source of natural antioxidant and also has cytotoxic effect on different carcinoma cell lines.