ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF TARAXACUM OFFICINALE

Ala Fulga,Lilia Andronache,Mihail Todiras,Valeriana Pantea,Valentin Gudumac,Olga Tagadiuc

doi:10.51582/interconf.19-20.03.2021.026

Abstract

Background. The oxygen is the ultimate electron acceptor in the electron flow system that produces energy. Problems appears when the electron flow becomes uncoupled thus, generating free radicals. While the majority of processes require oxygen, the last is a highly reactive molecule that can damage cells by producing reactive oxygen species, such as hydroxyl radical, superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid, all together defined as triggers of oxidative stress. The last is involved in many types of pathologies, such as cancer, atherosclerosis and rheumatic arthritis. Antioxidants can stop formation of free radical by giving hydrogen atoms or scavenging them. The antioxidant can be defined any molecule capable of preventing or blocking oxidation of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. The reduced glutathione (GSH), as well enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GPO), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) represent antioxidants which prevent the formation of new free radicals, converting them into less harmful molecules. The present study was conducted to assess the antioxidant activity of Taraxacum officinale (TO) ethanolic extracts with different bioactive contents. This experiment was conducted with extracts prepared from dandelion (Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg) leaves. A series (10%, 20%, 25%, 40%, 50% and 80%) of ethanolic extracts were made. The influence of TO extracts on RBC’s GPO, GR, GST, glutathione (GSSG, GSH and total-GSH) and thiols (native and total) was evaluated by measuring absorbance spectrophotometrically. Conclusions. Taraxacum officinale ethanolic extracts exhibit a strong antioxidant activity. This plant is capable of preventing damage of cells during oxidative stress process, by using different targets of glutathione system. But, this activity depends of ethanol concentrations, maybe due to different bioactive content.

Highlights

Oxidation represents the transfer of electrons from one atom to another
The glutathione peroxidase (GPO) activity was different, due to content of the active ingredients extracted at different ethanol concentration, as follow: 10% – 229.5±12.6*; 20% – 237±14.6*; 25% – 193.5±7.7*; 40% – 164.5±2.5*; 50% – 132.7±6.5; 80% – 212.8±11.1*
As GPO, the glutathione reductase (GR) activity depends of bioactive ingredients extracted with different ethanol concentration: in the 10% ethanolic extracts, the GR activity constituted 11.6±0.31*; in 20% – 10.1±1.3*; in 25% – 20.4±0.9*; in 40% – 19.2±0.7; in 50% – 24±2.2* and in 80% – 22.7±0.5*

Summary

Introduction

Oxidation represents the transfer of electrons from one atom to another. The oxygen is the ultimate electron acceptor in the electron flow system that produces energy ATP. It can react fast and non- with most of biological molecules These compounds produce hydrogen peroxide redox reactions which by lipid peroxidation or by oxidizing DNA can damage cells. While the majority of processes require oxygen, the last is a highly reactive molecule that can damage cells by producing reactive oxygen species, such as hydroxyl radical, superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid, all together defined as triggers of oxidative stress. Taraxacum officinale ethanolic extracts exhibit a strong antioxidant activity This plant is capable of preventing damage of cells during oxidative stress process, by using different targets of glutathione system. This activity depends of ethanol concentrations, maybe due to different bioactive content.

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Methods

Results

Conclusion