Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of selected medicinal plants and fungi containing phenolic and flavonoid compounds

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aims to determine the relationship between the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the thirteen herbs and two fungi extracts, and their total phenolic and flavonoid contents.MethodsAntioxidant activities were evaluated by four assays: an antioxidant activity assay using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a DPPH ((2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay to assess free radical scavenging, an assay assessing ferrous ions or iron (II) chelating ability, and a ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride methods, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activities were determined by measuring the inhibition of nitric oxide and TNF-α production in lipopolysaccharide- and interferon-γ-activated J774A.1 macrophages. Their cytotoxicities against macrophages were determined by MTT assay.ResultsA positive linear correlation between antioxidant activities and the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the plant extracts was found. The plant extracts with high phenolic and flavonoid content also exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity with good cell viability.ConclusionThe selected herbs could be a rich source of antioxidants and free radical scavenging compounds. The levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds were correlated with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts from the herbs.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i> Stapf (Lemon grass) extract in paracetamolinduced hepatotoxicity in rats

“…Tannins, which have potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities, have been reported to reduce the levels of lipid peroxide in liver cells and thus, prevent hepatocytes from the destructive effects [23]. Phenolic compounds were also reported as the important active ingredients of natural products that are responsible for the antioxidant effect [24][25][26][27]. Findings from our phytochemical analysis showed that the water extracts of CS contained phenolic compounds and tannins.…”

Foliar phenolic compounds of ten wild species of Verbenacea as antioxidants and specific chemomarkers

“…Comparatively, all analyzed species displayed higher reducing power than the edible fruits of Physalis alkekengi (IC 50 = 36.58 mg mL -1 ) (Diaz et al, 2012).…”

Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Properties of Mundulea sericea

“…It is already reported that hydroxyl functionality is an integral part of most of the phenolics such as flavonoids and tannins. 38 Moreover, recent studies also show that sev- eral plant products, including polyphenolic substances (e.g., flavonoids and tannins) and various herbal extracts, show antioxidant [39][40][41][42] and antiinflammatory activities. 42 Our results revealed that the extract contains various bioactive functional groups, viz.…”