Abstract
This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the extracts of buckwheat leaf and flower on the antioxidant status of the brain and liver tissue. The administration of buckwheat extracts (both concentrations were 10%) to mice (at the dose 10 mL/kg of body weight) for 21 days significantly decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduced the amount of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the mouse brain, while catalase (CAT) activity significantly increased. In the mouse liver, the amount of GSH and activity of SOD increased, while the CAT activity after administering buckwheat leaf and flower extracts was lower in experimental mice than in the control group. However, the administration of 10% ethanol (for 21 days) to control animals also had a significant effect on the antioxidant system in brain and liver cells. Experimental animals demonstrated rather marked changes in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT in their liver and brain cells, and changes in the levels of GSH and MDA were observed when compared with the control group.
Highlights
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is an herbaceous plant that belongs to the Polygonaceae family
In animals treated with buckwheat leaf and flower extracts, CAT activity in the brain was higher than that in the control 1 group (Figure 1)
Buckwheat leaf extract caused no alterations in CAT activity in the liver in comparison with the control 1 group
Summary
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is an herbaceous plant that belongs to the Polygonaceae family. This plant is known as a dietary source of protein with favorable amino acid composition, fibers, vitamins (B1 and B2), starch, essential minerals, and trace elements [1,2,3]. Buckwheat grains and hulls contain biologically active components, such as flavonoids and flavones, tannins, phytosterols, and fagopyrins. A number of studies have shown that buckwheat possesses strong antioxidant activity, mainly due to high rutin content [6, 7]. Flavonoids in buckwheat decrease blood cholesterol levels helping to prevent high blood pressure. About 10% of rutin (per dry weight) is found in buckwheat flower and leaf [5]
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