Antioxidants in Chinese herbal medicines: a biochemical perspective

Abstract

Recently, intense interest has focused on the antioxidant properties of natural products. In particular, Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) have become hot topics for life science researchers since many are reported to possess cardioprotective compounds, many of which remain to be identified. Indeed, the exact mechanisms by which CHM work remain unknown. Although many of these herbal remedies are undoubtedly efficacious, few have been scientifically investigated for their active chemical constituents and biological activities. We have previously reported higher activities of antioxidant defence enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferases in the liver of rats treated with the herb Salvia miltiorrhiza in a model of acute myocardial infarction. Using well established in vitro antioxidant assays employing 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) we have shown that in addition to elevating endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity, Salvia miltiorrhiza and other CHM traditionally used for cardiovascular disorders (such as Rhizoma ligustici, Herba leonuri, Radix achyranthis bidentatae, and Camellia sinensis) contain potent antioxidant moieties in addition to their phenolic constituents. Furthermore, these novel non-phenolic components are effective inhibitors of oxidative reactions mediated by the inflammatory oxidants, peroxynitrite,hypochlorous acid and hydroxyl radical as well as iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. In this review, we discuss the various antioxidant properties of CHM in the context of their biochemical mechanisms.

Quantitative Analysis of the Marker Compounds in Salvia miltiorrihiza Root and Its Phytomedicinal Preparations

“…The roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza BUNGE (Salvia Root, ) are used for the preparation of phytomedicines that have been proved to be effective in the prevention and therapy for the cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial and cerebral infarction, angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, hypertensive disease, etc., [1][2][3] because of its multiple actions of improving blood circulation, 4) attenuating changes in contraction and intracellular calcium in cardiomyocytes, 5) reducing the area of cerebral infarct, 6) inhibiting the renin angiotensin system, 7) elevating antioxidant defense enzymes, 8) scavenging free radicals and protecting for myocardial mitochondrial membrane, 9) and so on. Two kinds of constituents useful as phytochemical markers have been identified in Salvia Root, and its preparations.…”

A Computational Study of the Ozonolysis of Phenanthrene

“…It is usually used in the manufacture of dyes and in the synthesis of some pharmaceutical products [4]. Some derivatives of phenanthrene [5] have antimalarial [6], antioxidant [7], and antimicrobial activity [8,9]. On the other hand, phenanthrene is present in cigarette smoke [3] and is very toxic, since upon inhalation it leads to genetic mutations that may cause cancer, and particularly the lung cancer [10].…”

Salvia Miltiorrhiza Reinstates Growth Plate Width, Reduces Liver Oxidative Stress and Toxicity in Avian Tibial Dyschondroplasia

“…This herbal medicine is isolated from dried roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge plant (Family: Lamiaceae, Genus: Salvia). SM has been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, hemorrhage and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antimenopausal syndrome, anti-ischemic activities and used in antineoplastic therapy (Cui et al, 2009;Han et al, 2008;Zhou et al, 2005;Zhu et al, 2004). Various clinical Abbreviations ALP, alkaline phosphatase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; GSH-Px, glutathione peroxidase; MDA, malondialdehyde; SOD, superoxide dismutase.…”