Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and nitric oxide (NO) generating effects of local agricultural products commonly used as traditional medicines. The antioxidant activity was measured by the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and total polyphenol (TP) concentrations in the 70% ethanol extracts of the above products. The Pueraria montana var. lobate extracts showed the highest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, with a TP content of 1,000 μg/mL. Among the stems and roots, the extracts of Oryza sativa showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and TP content of 1,000 μg/mL. The cell viability and NO production were also analyzed to evaluate their possible immune-stimulating effects. The cell viability of RAW 264.7 macrophages was more than 100% in all the extracts compared to the media control group, at less than 500 μg/mL, indicating that these extracts are non-toxic to the cells. An evaluation of the NO production activity of the macrophages showed that the extracts increased the NO content in a dose-dependent manner. Allium hookeri, Oryza sativa, and Zingiber officinale Rosc extracts showed the highest production of NO content. Thus, P. montana var. lobate and O. sativa with high antioxidant effects and A. hookeri, O. sativa, and Z. officinale Rosc with high NO generating effects may be suitable for use as good functional foods.

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