Antioxidant and Pro-Oxidant Evaluation of a Potentilla alba L. Rhizome Extract

What is it about?

Using spectrophotometric methods, a H2O-soluble Potentilla alba L. rhizome extract was evaluated phytochemically, i.e., the total phenol, flavonoid, flavonol, flavanone, and proanthocyanidin contents were determined, and its antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties, i.e., the FeIII reductive and the FeII chelating properties, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH.), N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD.þ ), and superoxide anion radical (O. 2 )-scavenging activities, the capacity to inhibit hydroxyl radical (HO.)-mediated deoxy-d-ribose and phospholipid degradation, and the interaction with the Cu-catalyzed HO.-mediated DNA degradation, were determined. The extract was found to contain a range of phenolic compounds recognized to possess strong antioxidant-like properties. Moreover, the extract demonstrated dose-dependent activities in all the antioxidant assays with the exception of the DNA-degradation assay, where the components within the extract interfered with the assay components at concentrations >1.00 mg/ml. Potentilla species are known for their curative properties, with aerial/ subterranean parts being prescribed for numerous indications. The data presented here suggests, though does not conclude, that the rhizomes contain compounds possessing a range of antioxidant-related properties, which may underpin the therapeutic, viz., anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic effects, ascribed to species of this genus.

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Why is it important?

The data presented here suggests that the Potentilla alba rhizomes contain compounds possessing a range of antioxidant-related properties, which may underpin the therapeutic, viz., anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic effects, ascribed to species of this genus.

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