Abstract
Cyanthillium cinereum (Less.) H. Rob. (Asteraceae) has been traditionally known for its medicinal properties, all aspects of which are yet to be exploited. This study was aimed at investigating the therapeutic potential of polar (methanolic and aqueous) and nonpolar (hexane and chloroform) crude extracts of the whole plant. Several parameters including free-radical (DPPH•, ABTS•+, H2O2 and •OH) scavenging, reducing power, protection of DNA against oxidative damage, cytotoxicity, inhibition of oxidative hemolysis in erythrocytes, total phenolic content and inhibition of lipid peroxidation were examined. All the free-radical generating assay models demonstrated positive scavenging efficiency with differential but considerable magnitudes for the four extracts. However, only the hexane extract showed significant H2O2 scavenging effect. Lipid peroxidation was estimated by thiobarbituric acid-malondialdehyde (MDA) reaction, and a high degree of inhibition was shown by all the extracts. Reducing power of the polar extracts was higher than the non-polar ones. All extracts showed a concentration-dependent increase in phenolic contents. Oxidative damage to erythrocytes was hindered by all extracts in diverse degrees. XTT assay showed that all extracts have mild cytotoxic property. The aqueous extract evidently demonstrated protective effect on pBR322 plasmid DNA against oxidative breakdown. These results suggested the potential of C. cinereum as medicine against free-radical-associated oxidative damage and related degenerative diseases involving metabolic stress, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity.
Highlights
Atoms or molecules containing one or more unpaired electrons are termed as free radicals which are accountable for tissue degeneration by means of DNA and protein damage and lipid peroxidation
Oxidative stress associated with free radicals is involved in the pathophysiology of aging and various age-related ailments such as cataracts, atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and so forth
Different freeradical generating systems were used in this study to assess the free-radical scavenging properties of the crude polar and non-polar extracts of C. cinereum along with evaluation of the total phenolic content, reducing power and protection against cell and DNA damage
Summary
Atoms or molecules containing one or more unpaired electrons are termed as free radicals which are accountable for tissue degeneration by means of DNA and protein damage and lipid peroxidation. The extent of damage caused by free radicals might be mitigated through supplementation with one or more antioxidants [1]. Various compounds with differential antioxidant properties are found in floral resources which are considered to have high potential in the context of therapeutic approaches to encounter and prevent free radical damage. Diverse medicinal plants have been screened and assessed for properties in antagonism to free-radical-induced oxidative stress [2]. The whole plant is used in decoction or infusion to treat fever [4]. It provides remedy for spasms of the urinary bladder and strangury, and is often combined with quinine to treat malaria [3]. Root infusion is used as an antidote to scorpion sting and snake venom [3]
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