Antioxidant activity of Centaurium erythraea infusion evidenced by its superoxide radical scavenging and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2001

Authors

Valentao, P (Author) Other; Fernandes, E (Author) FFUP; Carvalho, F (Author) FFUP; Andrade, PB (Author) FFUP; Seabra, RM (Author) Other; Bastos, ML (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Vol. 49

Pages: 3476-3479

ISSN: 0021-8561

Publisher: American Chemical Society

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 123 Citations

Scopus - 152 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Agrarian Sciences > Other Agrarian Sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-V2N

DOI: 10.1021/jf001145s

Abstract (EN): Centaurium erythraea Rafin. (Gentianaceae) has long been used in traditional medicine. This plant contains considerable amounts of polyphenolic compounds, namely, xanthones and phenolic acids as the main constituents. Because phenolic groups exhibit activity as radical scavengers and/or metal chelators, this study evaluated the superoxide radical scavenging properties of a lyophilized infusion obtained from C. erythraea flowering tops. Superoxide radical scavenging activity was assayed using enzymatic (xanthine/xanthine oxidase) and nonenzymatic (NADH/phenazine methosulfate) superoxide generating systems. This study provided evidence that C. erythraea exhibits interesting antioxidant properties, expressed either by the capacity to scavenge superoxide radical or to noncompetitively inhibit xanthine oxidase. The main phenolic compounds present in this extract were several esters of hydroxycinnamic acids, namely, p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific