Antioxidant activity and protective effect on DNA cleavage of extracts from Cistus incanus L. and Cistus monspeliensis L.
The genus Cistus includes many typical species of Mediterranean flora; Cistus species are used as antidiarrhetics, as general remedies for treatment of various skin diseases in folk medicine and as anti-inflammatory agents. These species contain flavonoids that are considered to be chain-breaking antioxidants. In this work, we have investigated the effects of crude aqueous extracts from Cistus incanus and Cistus monspeliensis on DNA cleavage and their free-radical scavenging capacity. In addition, their effect on lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes was evaluated. These extracts showed a protective effect on DNA cleavage and a dose-dependent free-radical scavenging capacity; Cistus monspeliensis was more active than Cistus incanus; these results were confirmed by a significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes. The experimental evidence, therefore, suggests that because of their antioxidant activity these extracts may offer excellent photoprotection for skin and may be useful in the treatment of human diseases where oxidative stress plays a key role.
Institute of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Italy.
G
G
Attaguile
A
A
Russo
A
A
Campisi
F
F
Savoca
R
R
Acquaviva
N
N
Ragusa
A
A
Vanella
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008861:Microsomes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016877:Oxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D016877:Oxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide