In vitro antioxidant activity of silymarin

Silymarin, a known standardized extract obtained from seeds of Silybum marianum is widely used in treatment of several diseases of varying origin. In the present paper, we clarified the antioxidant activity of silymarin by employing various in vitro antioxidant assay such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH(.)) scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity determination by ferric thiocyanate, total reducing ability determination by Fe3+ - Fe2+ transformation method and Cuprac assay, superoxide anion radical scavenging by riboflavin/methionine/illuminate system, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and ferrous ions (Fe2+) chelating activities. Silymarin inhibited 82.7% lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion at 30 microg/mL concentration; butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), alpha-tocopherol and trolox indicated inhibition of 83.3, 82.1, 68.1 and 81.3% on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion at the same concentration, respectively. In addition, silymarin had an effective DPPH(.) scavenging, ABTS(.)+ scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, ferric ions (Fe3+) reducing power by Fe3+-Fe2+ transformation, cupric ions (Cu2+) reducing ability by Cuprac method, and ferrous ions (Fe2+) chelating activities. Also, BHA, BHT, alpha-tocopherol and trolox, were used as the reference antioxidant and radical scavenger compounds. Moreover, this study, which clarifies antioxidant mechanism of silymarin, brings new information on the antioxidant properties of silymarin. According to the present study, silymarin had effective in vitro antioxidant and radical scavenging activity. It could be used in the pharmacological and food industry because of its antioxidant properties.     

In vitro antioxidant activity of silymarin

Silymarin, a known standardized extract obtained from seeds of Silybum marianum is widely used in treatment of several diseases of varying origin. In the present paper, we clarified the antioxidant activity of silymarin by employing various in vitro antioxidant assay such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH·) scavenging, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity determination by ferric thiocyanate, total reducing ability determination by Fe³⁺ ? Fe²⁺ transformation method and Cuprac assay, superoxide anion radical scavenging by riboflavin/methionine/illuminate system, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) chelating activities. Silymarin inhibited 82.7% lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion at 30 μg/mL concentration; butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), α-tocopherol and trolox indicated inhibition of 83.3, 82.1, 68.1 and 81.3% on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion at the same concentration, respectively. In addition, silymarin had an effective DPPH· scavenging, ABTS^√+ scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, ferric ions (Fe³⁺) reducing power by Fe³⁺ ? Fe²⁺ transformation, cupric ions (Cu²⁺) reducing ability by Cuprac method, and ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) chelating activities. Also, BHA, BHT, α-tocopherol and trolox, were used as the reference antioxidant and radical scavenger compounds. Moreover, this study, which clarifies antioxidant mechanism of silymarin, brings new information on the antioxidant properties of silymarin. According to the present study, silymarin had effective in vitro antioxidant and radical scavenging activity. It could be used in the pharmacological and food industry because of its antioxidant properties.     

Enhanced healing of cartilaginous injuries by glucosamine hydrochloride

We investigated the restorative effect of orally administered glucosamine hydrochloride (GlcN) on the experimentally produced cartilaginous injuries in rabbits. A total of three holes in the left stifle joint including one in the medial trochlear ridge and two in the trochlear sulcus (proximal and distal) of articular cartilage were made surgically using a drill. For the control group, only tap water and for the glucosamine group, a water based solution of GlcN (1 g/head) was administered daily, respectively. We observed the clinical symptoms daily and the condition of the injured part was observed visually and histologically at 3 weeks after the operation. There was no difference in body weight or general conditions between the two groups. However, in the control group, the muscle weight of the biceps of the left femur was significantly reduced (p<0.05). With respect to the medial trochlear injury, four out of six cases in the control group and five out of six cases in the glucosamine group were cured, respectively. With respect to the proximal and the distal holes in sulcus, only two out of six cases in the control group and five expansive out of six cases in the glucosamine group were cured. There was significant difference between the glucosamine group and the control with respect to healing of the proximal hole (p<0.05) and the total points (p<0.05), indicating that the artificial cartilage injuries were facilitated by GlcN. On histological examination, the injured parts were covered by fibrous connective tissues in the control, whereas in the glucosamine group, the massive proliferation of matured cartilaginous tissues was observed, and the regenerated cartilaginous tissues were surrounded by the proliferation of chondroblast cells. In the regenerated tissue, matured cartilage substrate was about to be formed. Safranin O and alcian blue stains marked significantly dense in the glucosamine group than in the control (p<0.01) in injured parts as well as in non-injured joint cartilage.     

Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of tetracycline antibiotics in vitro

Tetracyclines are the second most common antibiotic family in medicine usage. These antibiotics exhibit antioxidant potential; however, the exact mechanism remains unclear. The antiradical activity of the seven tetracyclines (TCs; tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, doxocycline, methacycline, demeclocycline, minocycline) was determined using the free radical 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^?) and hydroxyl radicals (HO^?) generated in a Fenton reaction. Electron spin resonance (ESR), ESR spin‐trapping, chemiluminescence and spectrophotometry techniques were applied. It was found that the TCs showed high DPPH antiradical activity in the range 26–96% at 2.5 mmol/L concentration. The second‐order rate constants for the reaction between HO^? and TCs were calculated, in the range (3.6–9.6) × 10⁹ L/mol/s. The tetracycline compounds also exhibited a strong decrease in light emission (range 61–85% at concentration of 1 mmol/L). This study also showed that TCs promote the generation of singlet oxygen in the presence of and Fe(II)/Fe(III) ions. Our findings suggest direct scavenging activity of the examined tetracyclines towards free radicals, and may be relevant to therapeutic strategy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessment of antioxidant activity by using different in vitro methods

In this study, six common tests for measuring antioxidant activity were evaluated by comparing four antioxidants and applying them to beverages (tea and juices): Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay (TEAC I-III assay), Total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter assay (TRAP assay), 2,2-diphenyl- l -picrylhydrazyl assay (DPPH assay), N , N -dimethyl- p -phenylendiamine assay (DMPD assay), Photochemiluminescence assay (PCL assay) and Ferric reducing ability of plasma assay (FRAP assay). The antioxidants included gallic acid representing the group of polyphenols, uric acid as the main antioxidant in human plasma, ascorbic acid as a vitamin widely spread in fruits and Trolox ® as water soluble vitamin E analogue. The six methods presented can be divided into two groups depending on the oxidising reagent. Five methods use organic radical producers (TEAC I-III, TRAP, DPPH, DMPD, PCL) and one method works with metal ions for oxidation (FRAP). Another difference between these tests is the reaction procedure. Three assays use the delay in oxidation and determine the lag phase as parameter for the antioxidant activity (TEAC I, TRAP, PCL). They determine the delay of radical generation as well as the ability to scavenge the radical. In contrast, the assays TEAC II and III, DPPH, DMPD and FRAP analyse the ability to reduce the radical cation (TEAC II and III, DPPH, DMPD) or the ferric ion (FRAP). The three tests acting by radical reduction use preformed radicals and determine the decrease in absorbance while the FRAP assay measures the formed ferrous ions by increased absorbance. Gallic acid was the strongest antioxidant in all tests with exception of the DMPD assay. In contrast, uric acid and ascorbic acid showed low activity in some assays. Most of the assays determine the antioxidant activity in the micromolar range needing minutes to hours. Only one assay (PCL) is able to analyse the antioxidant activity in the nanomolar range. Black currant juice showed highest antioxidant activity in all tests compared to tea, apple juice and tomato juice. Despite these differences, results of these in vitro assays give an idea of the protective efficacy of secondary plant products. It is strongly recommended to use at least two methods due to the differences between the test systems investigated.     

The effect of natural dicarbonyls on activity of antioxidant enzymes in vitro and in vivo

Natural dicarbonyls, which may be accumulated during oxidative stress in atherosclerosis (e.g. malondialdehyde) or carbonyl stress in diabetes mellitus (glyoxal and methylglyoxal) effectively inhibited activities of commercial preparations of the antioxidant enzymes: Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) and Se-contained glutathione peroxidase from human and bovine erythrocytes, and also rat liver glutathione-S-transferase. After incubation of human erythrocytes with 10 mM of each investigated dicarbonyls the decrease of intracellular Cu,Zn-SOD was observed. The decreased activity of erythrocyte Cu,Zn-SOD was also detected in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 with carbohydrate metabolism impairments but effective sugar-lowered therapy was accompanied by the increase of this enzyme activity. The increase of erythrocytes Cu,Zn-SOD activity in diabetic patients treated with metformin (which may utilize methylgly-oxal) was higher than in erythrocytes of diabetic patients subjected to traditional therapy.     

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.     

Phosphorylated modification and in vitro antioxidant activity of Radix Hedysari polysaccharide

Phosphorylated modification of a polysaccharide obtained from Radix Hedysari (RHP) was studied. Three phosphorylated polysaccharides (RHPP) with variable degrees of substitution (DS(p)) were obtained with 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and N, N' Dicyclocarbodiimide (DCC) as catalyst. The structures of RHPP were characterized by FT-IR spectra and (13)C NMR spectra. Depending on different reaction time, RHPP showed different DS(p) ranging from 0.30 to 0.66, and different Mw ranging from 86.6 to 89.7?KDa. Compared with RHP, RHPP exhibited superior antioxidant activities in vitro, which indicated that phosphorylated modification could enhance antioxidant activities of RHP. Furthermore, it was obvious that the DS(p) had a significant effect on the antioxidant activity.     

The antioxidant activity of cyclohistidylproline

A cyclohistidyl-proline, cyclopeptide possessing a hormonal and neurotrophic activity is shown to be an inhibitor of the (Fe + ascorbic acid)-induced peroxidation of membrane lipids, its effect being dependent on its concentration. Inhibition of the malondialdehyde formation by cyclohistidil-proline is accompanied by protection of the membrane bound Ca-pump. In the test of the free radical cumole oxidation antioxidative effect of cyclohistidyl-proline is 4 times higher than that of the hydrophilic antioxidant carnosine. After peritoneal injection of cyclohistidil-proline (15 mg/kg of body weight) to rats the stationary level of thiobarbituric acid reactive products in rat brain or serum is pronouncedly decreased, this effect being in progress up to 6 h after injection. Antioxidative action of cyclohistidyl-proline suggests to be on the basis of a variety of its biological effects.     

In vitro evaluation of the antioxidant activity of calcium fructoborate

Although increasing evidence shows the nutritional benefits of calcium fructoborate (CF) on animals and humans, its action mechanism has not been clearly identified. The present study aims to investigate the possible antioxidant function of CF. Based on its efficiency in skin wound healing, the authors tested whether CF possesses antioxidant properties on human keratinocytes cultures, in a complete serum-free medium (KMK-2; Sigma). The cells treated with CF (0–450 nmol/culture medium) were exposed to exogenous 100 μmol of hydrogen peroxide to mimic the oxidative stress. The changes in general cell oxidant production evaluated with dihydrorhodamine-123 showed that the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were markedly reduced by preincubation with CF. The maximum antioxidant activity was notice at 90 nmol CF. To assess the reactivity of CF on ROS, we analyzed its ability to inhibit the superoxide-dependent auto-oxidation of pyrogallol. The CF inhibited the pyrogallol auto-oxidation depending on time and concentration, which suggests its possible role as a superoxide radical scavenger. Taken together, our results indicate that CF has antioxidant activity, which could have clinical significance in protecting cells from oxidant-induced injury. A hypothetic mechanism for the antioxidant activity of CF is proposed.     

In vitro antioxidant activity of liquor from fermented shrimp biowaste

Shrimp waste was fermented using lactic culture and the separated fermented liquor was lyophilized. In vitro antioxidant activities of the lyophilized powder were evaluated with respect scavenging of different radicals and quenching of generated singlet oxygen. The sample showed strong radical scavenging and singlet oxygen quenching in a dose dependent manner (p<0.001). The sample exhibited 40% scavenging of DPPH radical at 1.0mg/ml concentration while the ABTS radical scavenging was 95% even at 0.5mg/ml concentrations. Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity as measured by chemiluminescence technique showed 80% scavenging and peroxyl radical scavenging was 65% at 1.0mg/ml concentration. The singlet oxygen quenching ability of the powder was 68.3% at 1.0mg/ml concentration. The sample was found to contain low molecular weight proteins. The formation of peptides and amino acids during hydrolysis of shrimp waste protein during fermentation is expected to be responsible for the antioxidant activity. In addition as the product also contains carotenoids, it can be used as an ingredient in aquaculture feed formulations for beneficial effects.     

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of epigallocatechin gallate in biphasic model systems in vitro

The antioxidant activity of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was studied in different in vitro model systems, which enabled evaluation of both chemical and physical factors involved in assessing the role of EGCG in oxidative reactions. EGCG suppressed the initiation rate and prolonged the lag phase duration of peroxyl radical-induced oxidation in a phospholipid liposome model to a greater extent (p < 0.01) compared to both Trolox and -tocopherol. Effectiveness of these antioxidants to prolong the peroxyl radical-induced lag phase was inversely related to lipophilic character. EGCG also protected against both peroxyl radical and hydroxyl radical-induced supercoiled DNA nicking. The rate constant describing EGCG reaction against hydroxyl radical was 4.22 ± 0.07 × 10¹⁰ M^–1·sec^–1, which was comparable to those of Trolox and -tocopherol, respectively. EGCG exhibited a synergistic effect with -tocopherol in scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, thus displaying a direct free radical scavenging capacity. In vitro Cu²⁺-induced-human LDL oxidation was accelerated in the presence of EGCG and attributed to the conversion of Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺. We conclude that the particularly effective antioxidant properties of EGCG noted in both chemical and biological biphasic systems were related to a unique hydrophilic and lipophilic balance which enabled effective free radical scavenging. The same chemical-physical properties of EGCG also enabled prooxidant activity, only when in contact with unbound transition metal ions in a multiphasic system.     

Rapid micropropagation system in vitro and antioxidant activity of Scabiosa tschiliensis Grunning

A rapid micropropagation system for Scabiosa tschiliensis Grunning, an ethnic medicinal plant, has been developed. Calluses were induced from leaf and petiole explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l^?1 thidiazuron and 0.5 mg l^?1 2,4-dicholorophenoxyacetic acid. In this medium, callus induction rate was about 94.05 %. Adventitious shoots developed from leaf (86.30 %) and petiole (83.33 %) calluses when cultured on MS medium containing 4.0 or 2.0 mg l^?1 N⁶-benzyladenine (BA), respectively. Up to 73.85 % of the regenerated shoots formed complete plantlets on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l^?1 indole-3-butyric acid, with an average of 3.25 roots per shoot. Quantitative analysis of flavonoids showed that the phytochemical profiles of calluses and regenerated plants were similar to that of wild-type plants. The 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay revealed that the flavonoid extracts of calluses, adventitious shoots and wild-type plants had stronger antioxidant activities, the inhibitory concentrations being 23.944, 31.329 and 26.502 μg ml^?1, respectively, where 50 % of DPPH was scavenged (IC₅₀). Results showed that this perennial herb could be used as a potential source of new natural antioxidants.     

Phytoecdysteroids of Silene guntensis and their in vitro cytotoxic and antioxidant activity

Phytoecdysteroids from aerial parts of Silene guntensis B. Fedtsch were investigated and three phytoecdysteroids were isolated: 2,3-diacetate-22-benzoate-20-hydroxyecdysone (1), 2-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone (2), and 20-hydroxyecdysone (3). Their chemical structures were elucidated by DEPT, COSY, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The isolated compounds 1-3 and crude extracts were evaluated for their antiproliferative and antioxidant activities. They exhibited substantial inhibition of cell growth against human cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa), hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2), and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells. The chloroform extract showed potent cytotoxic effects [IC50 values (26.58 +/- 1.88) microg/mL, (20.99 +/- 1.64) microg/mL, and (18.89 +/- 2.36) microg/mL, respectively]. The new compound 1 was mildly cytotoxic compared to extracts [(127.97 +/- 11.34), (106.76 +/- 7.81), and (203.10 +/- 19.56) microg/mL, respectively]. Water and n-butanol extracts exhibited good antioxidant activities [IC50 values of (68.90 +/- 6.45) microg/mL and (69.12 +/- 5.85) microg/mL, respectively].     

虎杖根茎中蒽醌类成分的体外抗氧化活性

采用超声波提取法用体积分数80%乙醇对虎杖(Reynoutriajaponica Houtt.)根茎中的蒽醌类成分进行粗提,并利用D101大孔吸附树脂对粗提液进行纯化.以Vc为阳性对照,采用体外动物实验研究了虎杖根茎中蒽醌类成分对小白鼠肝组织匀浆中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-px)活力及对H2O2诱导的MDA含量和红细胞氧化溶血的影响,并采用化学模拟体系分析了其对DPPH·自由基的清除能力、对Fe3+的还原能力以及与Fe2+的螯合能力.结果表明:虎杖根茎中蒽醌类成分含量丰富,粗提物含量达到55.86 mg·g-1,纯化后含量达到44.77 mg·g-1.质量浓度l0、20、30和40μg·mL-1的蒽醌类成分可显著增强GSH-px活力、降低由H2O2诱导产生的MDA含量,并对H2O2诱导产生的红细胞氧化溶血有较强的抑制作用;质量浓度2、4、6和8μg·mL-1的蒽醌类成分对DPPH·自由基具有良好的清除能力,质量浓度6、8、12和16μg·mL-1蒽醌类成分对Fe3+具有较强的还原能力,而质量浓度5、10、15和20μg·mL-1蒽醌类成分对Fe2+则具有很强的螯合能力.随质量浓度的提高,虎杖蒽醌类成分及阳性对照Vc的各项抗氧化活性指标均逐渐增强,呈现出明显的量效关系,且虎杖根茎中蒽醌类成分的各项抗氧化指标均优于相同质量浓度的Vc.研究结果显示:虎杖根茎中的蒽醌类成分具有较强的抗氧化活性,不仅能够直接清除过量的自由基,也可以通过增强体内的抗氧化系统以抑制自由基的产生.结合他人研究结果,对虎杖资源的开发利用提出了一些建议.     

Chemical analysis and antioxidant activity in vitro of polysaccharides extracted from Boletus edulis

Boletus edulis is a well-known delicious mushroom. In this study, three crude polysaccharides (BEPF30, BEPF60 and BEPF80) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of B. edulis with boiling water. Chemical and physical characteristics of the three crude polysaccharides were investigated by the combination of chemical and instrumental analysis methods. Their antioxidant activities were investigated in vitro systems including hydroxyl assay, superoxide radical assay, reducing power and chelating activity. Among these three polysaccharides, BEPF60 showed more significant reducing power and chelating activity; and highest inhibitory effects on superoxide radical and hydroxyl radical. These results indicated that polysaccharides extracted from B. edulis might be employed as ingredients in healthy and functional food to alleviate the oxidative stress.     

Synthesis and in vitro antioxidant activity study of some new piperazinyl flavone compounds

Flavones exhibit a variety of beneficial effects and are well known for their medicinal importance in several diseases, including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and cancer. The inclusion of the piperazine ring to the flavone backbone is an important strategy in drug discovery but only a few studies have synthesized piperazinyl flavone compounds to test their biological activity. While there is a major focus on the antioxidant properties of drugs in therapy of several diseases of inflammatory origin, we synthesized a series of the novel piperazinyl flavone analogues bearing the phenyl ring with different substituents. The analogues were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity against superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging properties. The total antioxidant status based on the absorbance of the 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) radical cation (ABTS^+?) and total antioxidant capacity using the Fe(III)‐ferrozine complex were also monitored. The results of the above studies showed that the compounds synthesized were found possessed moderate radical scavenging potential, and that their interaction with reactive oxygen species is complex and depends on their structural conformation and the type of substituent R in the piperazine ring being attached. Best antiradical activity were found for the compounds with methoxy groups on the phenyl ring of substituent R, whereas the presence of methoxy or trifluoromethyl groups in substituent R resulted in higher ABTS^+? and ion Fe(III) reduction. These compounds are promising molecules to be used for their antioxidant properties and may be regarded, after improvement of the antioxidant potential, to control diseases of free radical etiology.