In vitroantioxidant properties ofSalvia verbenacaL. hydromethanolic extract

Abstract

<b>Objective: </b> To investigate the <i> in vitro</i> antioxidant activity of the hydromethanolic extract of the aerial parts (leaves and stems) of <i> Salvia verbenaca </i> L. towards fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids) and human, low density lipoproteins (LDL) peroxidation.<br><b> Materials and Methods:</b> Lipid peroxidation was carried out in the presence of the <i> S. verbenaca </i> L. hydromethanolic extract (10 and 100 µg of extract/ml). CuSO4 (10 µM) was used as the oxidation initiator. Conjugated dienes (CD) formation, oxygen consumption and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation were assessed to monitor the antioxidant properties of the plant extract. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) at 50 µg/ml was used as a standard antioxidant. The quantification of total polyphenolic compounds was carried out, according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method.<br><b> Results:</b> The hydromethanolic extract of <i> S. verbenaca</i> showed a significant antioxidant effect at 100 µg/mL. A strong inhibition of oxygen consumption (92%, <i> P</i> <0.001) and CD formation of LDL peroxidation (92%, <i> P</i> <0.001) as well as TBARS formation of linolenic acid oxidation (93%, <i> P</i> <0.001) were observed. The quantitative analysis revealed that the extract used contained a high amount of phenolic compounds, suggesting a possible role of these products in the observed antioxidant properties.<br><b> Conclusion:</b> <i> S. verbenaca </i> could be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants.