Abstract
There is considerable interest in identifying new antioxidants from plant materials. Several studies have emphasized the antioxidant activity of species belonging to the Myrtaceae family. However, there are few reports on these species from the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna). In this study, the antioxidant activity and phenolic content of 12 native Myrtaceae species from the Cerrado were evaluated (Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Eugenia bimarginata, Eugenia dysenterica, Eugenia klotzschiana, Hexachlamys edulis, Myrcia bella, Myrcia lingua, Myrcia splendens, Myrcia tomentosa, Psidium australe, Psidium cinereum, and Psidium laruotteanum). Antioxidant potential was assessed using the antioxidant activity index (AAI) by the DPPH method and total phenolic content (TPC) by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. There was a high correlation between TPC and AAI values. Psidium laruotteanum showed the highest TPC (576.56 mg GAE/g extract) and was the most potent antioxidant (AAI = 7.97, IC50 = 3.86 µg·mL-1), with activity close to that of pure quercetin (IC50 = 2.99 µg·mL-1). The extracts of nine species showed IC50 of 6.24-8.75 µg·mL-1. Most species showed TPC and AAI values similar to or higher than those for Camellia sinensis, a commonly consumed tea with strong antioxidant properties. The results reveal that the analyzed Myrtaceae species from the Cerrado possess high phenolic contents and antioxidant activities. Thus, they are a potential source of new natural antioxidants.
Highlights
Free radicals and other small reactive molecules have emerged as important regulators of many physiological and pathological processes (Nathan and Ding, 2010)
There was a high correlation between phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of these extracts
The phenolic contents of these extracts were in the range of 287.98-576.56 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g extract (Table 1)
Summary
Free radicals and other small reactive molecules have emerged as important regulators of many physiological and pathological processes (Nathan and Ding, 2010). Increased levels of these short-lived reactive molecules can cause oxidative damage to biological macromolecules and disrupt the cellular reduction–oxidation (redox) balance (Dowling and Simmons, 2009). Oxidative stress caused by the accumulation of free radicals in the body is involved in various pathological processes including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and aging (Yoshihara et al, 2010). Antioxidant compounds from plants, polyphenols, can inhibit the propagation of free radical reactions and protect the human body from diseases (Perron and Brumaghim, 2009; Lizcano et al, 2010)
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