Bioactivity Investigation of Lauraceae Trees Grown in Taiwan

Abstract

This research collected 27 Lauraceae tree species in Taiwan, and the extracts prepared from leaves and branches were selected to evaluate and characterize their putative bioactivities and potential medicinal applications. Several bioactivity assays, including antifungal tests, antioxidant evaluation, anti-inflammation activity, and cytotoxicity were preformed in this study.The results showed no significant antifungal activity by Lauraceae extracts. Neolitsea parvigemma. (Hay.) Kanehira et Sasaki expresses the best antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 5.73 µg/mL) in the DPPH assay.The extracts of Litsea akoensis. Hay. and Cryptocarya concinna. Hance had significant anti-inflammation activity, and they can inhibit the nitric oxide (NO) production in the LPS-induced microphage assay at the dose of 25 µg/mL. According to the cytotoxicity assay, Lindera aggregate. (Sims) Kosterm and Cryptocarya concinna. Hance extracts showed in vitro. cytotoxicity against human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (HUVEC) with IC₅₀ values of 43.15 µg/mL and 49.36 µg/mL, respectively, and Phoebe formosana. (Matsum. et Hay.) Hay. extract exhibited marked cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 42.87 µg/mL) against a human leukemia cell line (HL-60). Results from this preliminary investigation suggest that these Lauraceae tree species may have a great potential for further development as cancer chemoprevention agents or food supplements for promoting human health.     

Antioxidant activity of different parts of Tetrataenium lasiopetalum

Abstract

Context: In Iranian traditional medicine, different species of the genus Tetrataenium are used as antiseptic, spice and food additives.

Objective: The present study examined the possible antioxidant effects of hydro-alcoholic extracts of different parts of Tetrataenium lasiopetalum (Boiss.) Manden (Apiaceae).

Materials and methods: Laminas, stems, petioles, fruits, peduncles and flowers of T. lasiopetalum were collected, dried and then extracted by ethanol and water (70:30). Antioxidant activities of extracts were examined by employing different in vitro assays, i.e., 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, metal chelating, reducing power activities and hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid system. Also, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were evaluated.

Results: Hydro-alcoholic extract of T. lasiopetalum flower showed the highest activity in scavenging of DPPH (IC₅₀?=?170?±?7?μg/mL). In metal chelating assay, lamina extract possesses a better iron ion chelating activity than other extracts (230?±?10?μg/mL). Lamina hydro-alcoholic extract demonstrated better activity in reducing the power and hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid system than other parts of T. lasiopetalum.

Discussion and conclusion: These results showed the antioxidant activity of different parts of T. lasiopetalum based on its usage in traditional medicine.     

Antioxidant and radical scavenging properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Iris germanica</Emphasis>

The antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of iris (Iris germanica L., family Iridaceae) has been evaluated in vitro using various antioxidant assays, including reducing power, free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and metal chelating activities. Both aqueous and ethanol extracts exhibit strong total antioxidant activity, showing 95.9, 88.4, 79.9% and 90.5, 78.0, 65.3% inhibition on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion in concentrations of 10, 30, and 50 μg-ml, respectively. Both extracts also possess effective reducing power and exhibit free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and metal chelating activities in concentrations of 20, 40, and 60 μg-ml. The antioxidant properties were compared to those of reference antioxidants (BHA, BHT, and α-tocopherol). In addition, the total content of phenolic compounds in both aqueous and ethanol iris extracts has been determined as gallic acid equivalent. The results indicate that iris has in vitro antioxidant properties, which can be the major factor responsible for the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Published in Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 41, No. 8, pp. 13–18, August, 2007.     

Essential oil composition and antioxidant activity of Thymus longicaulis C. Presl subsp. longicaulis var. longicaulis

This study is designed to examine the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of the hydrodistillated essential oil and various extracts obtained from Thymus longicaulis subsp. longicaulis var. longicaulis. GC and GC–MS analysis of the essential oil were resulted in determination 22 different compounds, representing 99.61% of total oil. γ-terpinene, thymol and p-cymene were determined as the major compounds of the oil (27.80, 27.65 and 19.38%, respectively). Antioxidant activities of the samples were determined by four different test systems namely β-carotene/linoleic acid, DPPH, reducing power and chelating effect. Essential oil showed the highest antioxidant activity in β-carotene/linoleic acid system among the experiments examined. In the case of other test systems, in general, methanol and water extracts exhibited the strongest activity profiles. Especially, reducing power of water extract was found superior than those of synthetic antioxidants. As well as the antioxidant activities of the extracts, they were evaluated in terms of their total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Hexane and water extracts were found to be rich-in phenolics. However, flavonoids were determined in the highest level in methanol extract.     

In vitro antioxidant and antitumor activities of six selected plants used in the Traditional Arabic Palestinian herbal medicine

Context: Despite several pharmacological applications of the medicinal plants in the Traditional Arabic Palestinian Herbal Medicine in Palestine (TAPHM), studies on their antioxidant properties are still scarce.

Objective: This work evaluates the antioxidant and antitumor activities of the ethanol extracts from different parts of six plants: [Arum palaestinum Boiss (Araceae), Urtica pilulifera L. (Urticaceae), Coridothymus capitatus (L.) Reichb (Lamiaceae), Majorana syriaca (L.) Rafin. (Lamiaceae), Teucrium creticum L. (Lamiaceae), and Teucrium capitatum L. (Lamiaceae)] used in the TAPHM.

Materials and methods: The antioxidant activity was evaluated for the ethanol extracts by DPPH and β-carotene–linoleic acid assays together with total contents of phenols and flavonoids. For the anti-carcinogenic evaluation, the extracts were tested for the ability to inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) using the MTT reduction assay.

Results: Among the extracts, the U. pilulifera had the highest amount of total phenolics, possessing the second highest total flavonoids. It also showed a maximum cytotoxic activity (IC₅₀?=?63?µg/ml), followed by C. capitatus, and A. palaestinum. Otherwise, the extract of T. creticum was demonstrated to be an efficient scavenger of O₂ (IC₅₀?=?83?µg/ml), followed by M. syriaca, C. capitatus, T. capitatum, A. palaestinum, and U. pilulifera.

Discussion and conclusion: The results suggest that the investigated plants have shown varied antioxidant capacities which were strongly correlated with their contents of phenolics. Accordingly, this study proposes that the therapeutic benefit of these plants can be, at least in part, attributed to its potential inhibition of oxidative processes.     

Inhibition of Hyaluronidase Activity by Vitis rotundifolia. (Muscadine) Berry Seeds and Skins

Abstract

Hyaluronidase hydrolyzes glycosaminoglycans including hyaluronan (HA) in the extracellular matrix during tissue remodeling. Upregulation of hyaluronidase activity occurs in chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g., inflammatory joint disease). Prior work demonstrated that Vitis rotundifolia. Michx (muscadine) skin extracts possess significant in vitro. and in vivo. anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we tested the ability of muscadine skin and seed extracts to inhibit in vitro. hyaluronidase activity. Ethanol extracts (1:9 w/v 50% ethanol) were prepared from dried skins and seeds of Early Fry (bronze) and Ison (purple) muscadine varieties. Each extract inhibited hyaluronidase activity. Seed extracts were two to three times more potent per unit weight than skin extracts. The IC₅₀ values of the Ison seed, Early Fry seed, Ison skin, and Early Fry skin were 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, and 1.0 mg/mL, respectively. Hyaluronidase inhibition correlated positively with total phenolic and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values, but not with anthocyanin content. In addition to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, the results of this study show that polyphenolics in muscadine grapes inhibit hyaluronidase. These three bioactivities are important for maintaining healthy connective tissue metabolism.     

Flavonoids in Scutellaria immaculata and S. ramosissima (Lamiaceae) and their biological activity

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria immaculata and S. ramosissima (Lamiaceae) and the in‐vitro biological activity of their extracts and flavonoids. Methods The flavonoid composition of S. immaculata (Si) and S. ramosissima (Sr) were analysed using LC‐MS. Antimicrobial activity was studied in vitro against a range of bacteria and fungi using diffusion and microdilution methods. Anti‐trypanosomal and cell proliferation inhibitory activity of the extracts and flavonoids was assessed using MTT. The antioxidant activity of the flavonoids and extracts were evaluated using DPPH* test. Key findings LC‐MS investigation of Si and Sr plants allowed the identification, for the first time, of an additional 9 and 16 flavonoids, respectively. The methanol, chloroform and water extracts from these plants and six flavonoids (scutellarin, chrysin, apigenin, apigenin‐7‐O‐glucoside, cynaroside and pinocembrine) exhibited significant inhibition of cell growth against HeLa, HepG‐2 and MCF‐7 cells. The chloroform extract of Sr showed potent cytotoxic effects with IC50 (drug concentration which resulted in a 50% reduction in cell viability) values of 9.25 ± 1.07 µg/ml, 12.83 ± 1.49 µg/ml and 17.29 ± 1.27 µg/ml, respectively. The highest anti‐trypanosomal effect against T. b. brucei was shown by the chloroform extract of Sr with an IC50 (drug concentration which resulted in a 50% inhibition of the biological activity) of 61 µg/ml. The pure flavonoids showed an IC50 range between 3 and 29 µm , with cynaroside as the most active compound with an IC50 value of 3.961 ± 0.133 µm . The chloroform extract of Sr has potent antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC = 0.03 mg/ml). Pinocembrine exhibited a strong activity against the all bacteria except Escherichia coli and yeasts. Water extracts of Sr and Si exhibited potent antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 5.62 ± 0.51 µg/ml and 3.48 ± 0.02 µg/ml, respectively. Scutellarin exerted stronger antioxidant activity than other flavonoids. Conclusions This is the first study reporting an in‐vitro biological investigation for Si and Sr. Especially the chloroform extract of Sr showed potent anticancer and antimicrobial activity. Cynaroside had a highly selective and strong cytotoxicity against T. b. brucei while showing only mild effects against cancer cells.     

Leaf extracts from Moricandia arvensis promote antiproliferation of human cancer cells,induce apoptosis,and enhance antioxidant activity

The in vitro antiproliferative, apoptotic, and antioxidant activities from leaf extracts of Moricandia arvensis, which are used in traditional cooking and medicines, were investigated. The MTT assay revealed that only TOF (total oligomer flavonoids), ethyl acetate (EA), chloroform (Chl), and petroleum ether (PE) extracts inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells. Apoptosis plays a very important role in the treatment of cancer by promoting the apoptosis of cancer cells and limiting the concurrent death of normal cells. Thus, the possible effects of M. arvensis extracts on the induction of apoptosis in human leukemic cells (K562 cells) were investigated. The electrophoretic analysis of DNA fragmentation confirms that TOF, Chl, PE, and EA extracts provoke DNA fragmentation. Using the lipid peroxidation inhibitory assay, the antioxidant capacity of M. arvensis extracts was evaluated by the ability of each extract to inhibit malondialdehyde formation. It was revealed that EA and TOF extracts are the most active in scavenging the hydroxyl radicals.     

Cistaceae aqueous extracts containing ellagitannins show antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity,and cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells

Roots and aerial parts of Cistaceae have been used since ancient times in the Mediterranean cultures for its medicinal properties. In this study, phenolic and tannin content of C. ladanifer and C. populifolius leaves aqueous extracts were determined and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity were fully studied by several in vitro assays. Their major compounds were identified and quantitated by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection coupled to electrospray ion-trap mass spectrometry. Cytotoxicity on a panel of human cancer cells was also determined. C. populifolius extract was stronger antioxidant than C. ladanifer extract in electron transfer reaction based assays but C. ladanifer extract was more effective to inhibit peroxyl radicals. The major compounds in both extracts were ellagitannins, especially punicalagins derivatives, showing C. populifolius a higher content. C. ladanifer showed noteworthy antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas C. populifolius was effective against Escherichia coli, with MICs values of 154 and 123 μg/mL, respectively. Last, both extracts showed a notorious capacity to inhibit the proliferation of M220 pancreatic cancer cells and MCF7/HER2 and JIMT-1 breast cancer cells. The leaves of these plants suppose a source for water-soluble ellagitannins-enriched polyphenolic extracts with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Their cytotoxic activity against several cancer cells may deserve further attention.     

镰形棘豆提取物抗肿瘤活性的体外实验研究

目的：对从镰形棘豆中分离得到的5种提取物进行体外抗肿瘤活性筛选。方法：采用四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）法观察镰形棘豆挥发油、总黄酮、总多糖、总生物碱及总皂苷对HepG2、MGC-803、LOVO、MCF-7、HeLa等5种人癌细胞株增殖的影响。结果：挥发油和总黄酮可以不同程度地抑制人癌细胞株的增殖。并呈现出一定的量效关系。结论：镰形棘豆的挥发油和总黄酮是抗肿瘤活性的主要部位．值得进一步深入地探讨和研究。     

Evaluation of Cytotoxic and Mutagenic Effects of Coriolus versicolor and Funalia trogii Extracts on Mammalian Cells

This study examined the in vitro cytotoxic activities of standardized aqueous bioactive extracts prepared from Coriolus versicolor and Funalia trogiiATCC 200800 on HeLa and fibroblast cell lines using a MTT (3-[4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-]-2–5-difeniltetrazolium bromide) cytotoxicity assay. F. trogii and C. versicolor extracts were cytotoxic to both cell lines. At 10 μL treatment level, F. trogii and C. versicolor extracts inhibited proliferation of HeLa cancer cells by 71.5% and 45%, respectively, compared with controls. Toxicity was lower toward normal fibroblasts. In the latter case, treatment at 10 μL level with F. trogii and C. versicolor extracts reduced cell proliferation by 51.3% and 38.7%, respectively. In separate experiments, the mitotic index (MI) obtained with 3 μL treatment level of unheated extracts of the two fungi was comparable to the MI value obtained by treatment with 4 μg/mL MMC (anticancer agent mitomycin-C). A significant induction of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) was observed in normal cultured lymphocytes treated with MMC (4 μg/mL). MMC treatment reduced replication index compared with treatment with unheated F. trogii extract and negative controls (p < 0.001). In contrast to MMC, F. trogii extracts did not affect the proliferation of human lymphocytes compared with controls (p > 0.05). Laccase and peroxidase enzyme activities in F. trogii extract were implicated in their inhibitory effect on cancer cells. F. trogii extract was concluded to have antitumor activity.     

黑木耳多糖顺铂配合物抗HeLa和LoVo细胞增殖活性

目的 研究不同分子量黑木耳多糖（Auricularia auricula polysaccharide，AAP）能否与顺铂形成配合物，同时研究其配合物对HeLa和LoVo细胞的抗肿瘤细胞增殖活性。方法 采用"One pot"法合成不同分子量的黑木耳多糖顺铂配合物（Auricularia auricula polysaccharide-cis-diaminedichloroplatinum，AAP-CDDP），并应用MTT法对其体外抗肿瘤细胞增殖活性进行研究。结果 AAP-CDDP的抑制HeLa和LoVo肿瘤细胞增殖活性与其螯合顺铂量密切相关，相关系数r²分别为0.877 5和0.913 2；其中AAP（Ⅴ）-CDDP具有最强的抗肿瘤细胞增殖活性。结论 AAP与顺铂形成配合物具有很好的抗肿瘤细胞增殖活性。     

Screening for in vitro antioxidant properties and fatty acid profiles of five Centaurea L. species from Turkey flora

Centaurea species are used for the treatment of various ailments in the popular medicine in some countries. This study was designed to examine antioxidant potentials and fatty acid profiles of five Centaurea species from Turkey flora. Antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts from these species were evaluated by six different methods: phosphomolybdenum assay, free radical scavenging assay, β-carotene/linoleic acid test system, metal chelating activity, ferric and cupric reducing power. Total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations of each extract were also determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride. The results of these assay showed a significant antioxidant capacity in all researched extracts. Centaurea cheirolopha extract, with the highest amount of total phenolic and flavonoids, showed the highest antioxidant activities in all assay, except for metal chelating. Fatty acid profiles of these species were examined by GC–FID and 30 fatty acids were identified. Palmitic, linoleic, oleic, and linolenic acid were detected as the main components. The results of the study indicated that the Centaurea species can be considered as a source of new natural antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.     

Biological activities of ethyl acetate extract of different parts of Hyssopus angustifolius

Context: Hyssopus angustifolius M. Bieb. (Lamiaceae) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of lung inflammation, laryngitis and cough relief. Much attention has been paid to this medicinal plant because of its traditional uses.

Objective: The present study examined the antioxidant and antihemolytic activities of ethyl acetate extract of stems, leaf and flowers of Hyssopus angustifolius.

Materials and methods: Antioxidant activity of extracts was evaluated by employing six different models, i.e., DPPH, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide scavenging, metal chelating and reducing power activities and hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid system. Also, antihemolytic activity was evaluated against hydrogen peroxide-induced hemolysis.

Results: Flowers extract showed the better activity than leaf and stems extracts in DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ was 275.4?±?7.6 μg mL^?1). Leaf, stems and flowers extracts showed good nitric oxide scavenging activity (IC₅₀ were 376.6?±?11.4 µg mL^?1 for flowers, 297.6?±?9.6 μg mL^?1 µg mL^?1 for leaves and 837.8?±?19.2 µg mL^?1 for stems). The leaf extract exhibited better hydrogen peroxide scavenging and Fe²⁺ chelating activity than stems and flowers extracts. In hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid system, all of the extracts exhibited very good activity. Also, extracts show weak reducing power activity. The ethyl acetate extract of leaf showed better antihemolytic activity than the flower and stems (IC₅₀ was 94.0?±?2.4 μg mL^?1).

Discussion and conclusion: These findings give a scientific basis to the traditional usage of Hyssopus angustifolius, also showing its potential as rich sources of natural antioxidant compounds.     

Free radical scavenging and antiatherogenic activities of Sesamum indicum seed extracts in chemical and biological model systems

An emerging consensus underscores the importance of oxidative events in vascular disease including excess production of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), in addition to lipoprotein oxidation. Sesamum indicum has long been used extensively as a traditional food. The aim of present study was to evaluate antioxidant action of aqueous and ethanolic seed extracts from S. indicum using various in vitro ROS/RNS generated chemical and biological models. Results demonstrated that the graded-dose (25–1000 μg/ml) of aqueous and ethanolic extracts markedly scavenged the nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxyl, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals and, showed metal chelating ability as well as reducing capacity in Fe³⁺/ferricyanide complex and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. In biological models, both extracts were found to inhibit metal-induced lipid peroxidation in mitochondrial fractions, human serum and LDL oxidation models. In lipoprotein kinetics study, both extracts significantly (P < 0.05) increased lag phase time along with reduced oxidation rate and conjugated dienes production. Ethanolic extract of S. indicum showed higher amounts of total polyphenol and flavonoid content as compared to their counterpart. The IC₅₀ values of both extracts were compared with respective antioxidant standards. Overall, ethanolic extract of S. indicum possess strong antioxidant capacity and offering effective protection against LDL oxidation susceptibility.     

A comparative study on the in vitro antioxidant potentials of three edible fruits: Cornelian cherry,Japanese persimmon and cherry laurel

This study was designed in order to investigate in vitro antioxidant potentials of 80% methanolic extracts prepared from three edible fruits, Cornus mas L., Diospyros kaki L., Laurocerasus officinalis Roem. For this purpose, 8 different tests were performed including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radical scavenging tests, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), metal-chelating capacity, determination of total antioxidant capacity, β-carotene bleaching test in a linoleic acid emulsion system and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity. In addition, for evaluating the phenolic profile, total phenolic, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents were measured spectrophotometrically. Among the three fruits analyzed, Diospyros kaki L. showed the highest activity in all tests, except β-carotene bleaching test. Whereas, neither of three fruits showed metal-chelating activity. Also, a good correlation was found between the phenolic content and antioxidant parameters.     

2种藏紫草体外抗氧化及抗菌活性比较

目的 比较长花滇紫草和团花滇紫草75%乙醇提取物的体外抗氧化及抗菌活性。方法 采用ABTS法、FRAP法、邻苯三酚自氧化法测定体外抗氧化能力，并采用肉汤连续稀释法初步考察了2种藏紫草体提取物体外对15种不同菌株的抗菌作用。结果 不同浓度藏紫草的75%乙醇提取物对ABTS自由基和超氧阴离子都有较强的清除能力，与BHT阳性药相当或略高于BHT；总还原力随取物浓度增加而增强；2种藏紫草的提取物对革兰阳性菌有一定的抗菌活性，但对肠杆菌科菌株及铜绿假单胞菌均未见抗菌作用。结论 2种来源的藏紫草均具有一定的体外抗氧化和抗菌作用。     

Mutagenic activity and chemical composition of phenolic-rich extracts of leaves from two species of Ficus medicinal plants

Plant species from the Ficus genus are widely used as food, and in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer agents, although some of these species are known to produce adverse effects. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the chemical composition as well as in vitro antioxidant and mutagenic activity of the aqueous extracts of leaves from F. adhatodifolia and F. obtusiuscula. Phytochemical screening using thin-layer chromatography identified 6 classes of secondary metabolites in the extracts. Total phenolic content was estimated by the Folin-Ciocalteau method and the phenolic profile was determined by UPLC-DAD-ESI/MS/MS. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by the DPPH radical assay and by the β-carotene/linoleic acid system. Mutagenic activity was measured by the Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation test with 4 strains, in both the presence and absence of metabolic activation. Flavonoids, coumarins, and tannins were detected in both extracts, and 6 major derivatives were identified as flavone compounds. Antioxidant activities were demonstrated for both extracts, while F. obtusiuscula contained higher concentrations of phenolic compounds. Mutagenic activity of the TA97 strain without metabolic activation was observed for both tested extracts, as well as the TA102 strain with metabolic activation. In addition, the extract of F. adhatodifolia was shown to be mutagenic to the TA102 strain without metabolic activation. Evidence indicates that the use of teas obtained from these two plant extracts in folk medicine may raise concerns and needs further investigation as a result of potential pro-oxidant mutagenic effects in the absence or presence of metabolic activation.     

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Jungia paniculata

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Jungia paniculata (DC.) A. Gray (Asteraceae), used traditionally in Peru. The dry leaves were extracted with methanol, 50% methanol, and water. The anti-inflammatory activity of this plant was studied using in vitro (nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages and sPLA₂ inhibition assay) and in vivo (carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats and TPA-induced ear edema in mice) model systems. The antioxidant activity of extracts was studied using three in vitro model systems (DPPH^? radical-scavenging assay, ABTS^?+ assay, and superoxide radical-scavenging activity). The results have been correlated with total phenolics and total flavonoids contents. In the NO test of the extracts of Jungia paniculata, no significant cytotoxicities were observed at the concentrations determined by MTT assay. Only the MeOH50 extract of Jungia paniculata significantly inhibited PLA₂ enzyme activity (82.3?±?2.6%). At 3?h, the 50% methanol extract of Jungia paniculata at an oral dose of 500?mg/kg showed significant suppression of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema (36.36%). The same extract induced a 93.99% reduction in TPA-induced edema in topical administration. The extracts exhibited a high antioxidant activity and contained high total levels of polyphenols and flavonoids. There was a significant linear correlation between total phenolics and flavonoids contents and antioxidant activity in the three models used. In conclusion, Jungia paniculata possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which confirm the use of this plant in folk medicine as a topical anti-inflammatory herbal.     

In vitro antioxidant activity of Bombax malabaricum flower extracts

Context: Bombax malabaricum DC. (Bombacaceae) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, diarrhea, fever, chronic inflammation, catarrhal affection, and as a diuretic. However, little information is available about its antioxidative activity.

Objective: Water, 50% ethanol, and 80% acetone extracts from flowers of B. malabaricum were investigated for their in vitro antioxidant activity in this article for the first time. Then the relationships between antioxidant activity measured by different methods and total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were established.

Materials and methods: The antioxidant activities of extracts from B. malabaricum flower were investigated including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), reducing power, and inhibition on phosphatidylcholine liposome peroxidation.

Results: Results showed that all the extracts possessed remarkable antioxidant capacity compared with ascorbic or gallic acids. Total antioxidant activities evaluated by ORAC assay of different extracts ranged from 700.03 to 1482.46 μmol Trolox equivalents/g. The highest TPC of 130.38?mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g was observed in 80% acetone extract, whereas the lowest TPC of 57.09?mg GAE/g was obtained in the water extract. Furthermore, TFC exhibited significant (P?<?0.05) positive correlations with DPPH radical-scavenging activity, ORAC, and reducing power.

Discussion and conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the flowers of B. malabaricum have excellent antioxidant activities and thus might be a potential source of natural antioxidants.