Comparative studies on antioxidant activities of extracts and fractions from the leaves and stem of Epimedium koreanum Nakai

Abstract

The antioxidant potency of various extracts and fractions from the leaves and stem of Epimedium koreanum Nakai was evaluated using three esteblished methods, specifically the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radica-scavenging activity assay, the inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation induced by Fe 2+ /ascorbate (MDA) assay and the ferric reducing power (FRP) assay. The amounts of total phenolics and total flavonoids in the extracts and fractions were determined by spectrophotometric methods and the content of icariin was determined by HPLC. The results showed that all the extracts and fractions exhibited antioxidant activities at different magnitudes of potency. The leaf extract and fractions demonstrated superior antioxidant activity in most of the assays. The decreasing order of antioxidant activities among the extracts/fractions assayed through the three methods were found to be n-BuOH fraction>ethyl acetate fraction>ethanol extract>petroleum ether fraction>-water fraction. A positive correlation was found between the amounts of total phenolics, total flavonoids and icariin and DPPH radical scavenging activity (R 2 =0.9935, 0.9944 and 0.9997, respectively) and inhibitory activity on lipid peroxidation (R 2 =0.9987, 0.9830 and 0.9886, respectively). The results suggested that Icariin was one of the main constituents contribute to the antioxidant activity of Epimedium koreanum Nakai and the n-BuOH fractions of leaf extract might be valuable antioxidant natural sources.

Restoration of Spermatogenesis Using a New Combined Herbal Formula of Epimedium koreanum Nakai and Angelica gigas Nakai in an Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Agonist-Induced Rat Model of Male Infertility

“…Our previous study reported that decursin acted to improve sperm count and motility by increasing antioxidant activity and decreasing apoptosis in patients with male infertility [12]. Li et al [11] reported that decursin may be able to prevent chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity via the activation of antioxidant enzymes.…”

“…In addition, decursin, a major active component of Angelica gigas Nakai, has demonstrated a cellular antioxidant defense capacity through free radical scavenging activity in cryptorchidism-induced male infertility [1011]. Icariin, contained in Epimedium koreanum Nakai, has shown some antioxidant effects, including a reduction of free radicals and lipid peroxidation inhibition [12], and has been found to improve erectile function in aged rats [13]. These results suggest that these herbal compounds have a safe and positive influence on sperm quality and on sexual behavior.…”

Physico‐chemical properties, antioxidant activities and antihypertensive effects of walnut protein and its hydrolysate

“…Measurement of ferric reducing power was a commonly used model to study the antioxidant property of natural product extracts . Reducing capacity ( A 700 nm ) of WP and WPH increased with the increase of concentrations (0.01–0.06 g L −1 ) (Fig.…”

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Barberry and Zataria multiflora Boiss Essential Oil Against Some Food-Borne Bacteria

“…Zhang et al (27) examined the antioxidant activity of parsley essential oil by DPPH method. The IC 50 value of this essential oil was very high (21.80 mg/mL), indicating a very poor antioxidant activity of the essential oil (27). Kamkar (28), reported the oxidation prevention power of linoleic acid in ethanolic extract of Iranian Anethum graveloens at a concentration of 2 g/L as 56%.…”