Studies of Antioxidants and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Potentials of Root and Aerial Parts of Medicinal Plant Capparis Spinosa L.

Meriem Djarmouni,Noureddine Charef,Abderrahmane Baghiani,Sabah Boumerfeg,Djamila Ameni,Seddik Khennouf,Moufida Adjadj,Lekhmici Arrar

doi:10.5923/j.ajmms.20120201.06

Abstract

Capparis spinosa aerial part and root extracts were prepared using solvents of varying polarity. Results showed that ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of the aerial part contains the highest concentration of phenolic compounds and flavonoids followed by the chloroform extract (CHE) of roots. The enzymatic methods were realised by the production of uric acid and reduction of cytochrome c. Result showed that all plant extracts were effective either in inhibiting the activity of XO or Cyt C. The IC50 ranges from 0.0226 Â± 0.00019 to 4.32 Â± 0.15g/l. The non enzymatic methods were conducted using in vitro techniques: In DPPH test, the radical scavenging activity for the root and aerial part extracts decreased in the following order CHE> EAE> CE and EAE> CE> CHE, respectively. In general the aerial part extracts had an antioxidant activity through Ã-carotene-linoleate model system and ferric reducing ability greater than that of root part. In conclusion, Capparis spinosa appears to be a valuable plant and could be used to treat conditions where inhibition of XOR and free-radicals scavenging action are warranted.

Highlights

Oxidative stress is a general term used to identify the level of oxidative damage in a cell, tissue, or organ, caused by the oxygen and its reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or free radicals such as superoxide ions (O2-) and hydroxyl radicals (OH)[1]
Each fraction was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to give chloroform (CHE) and ethyl acetate (EAE) extracts
Flavonoids contents were in the following order: ethyl acetate extract (EAE) > chloroform extract (CHE) > crud extract (CE) for both root and aerial part extracts

Summary

Introduction

Oxidative stress is a general term used to identify the level of oxidative damage in a cell, tissue, or organ, caused by the oxygen and its reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or free radicals such as superoxide ions (O2-) and hydroxyl radicals (OH)[1]. ROS production can induce DNA damage, protein carbonylation, and lipid peroxidation, leading to a variety of chronic health problems, such as cancer, aging, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis[2][3]. Antioxidants are vital substances which possess the ability to protect the body from damage caused by free radical induced oxidative stress. The antioxidants could attenuate the oxidative damage of a tissue indirectly by enhancing natural defences of cell and/or directly by scavenging the free radical species[4]. There are two categories of antioxidants: namely synthetic and natural ones.

Methods

Results

Conclusion