Free radical scavenging activity of extracts prepared from fresh leaves of selected Chinese medicinal plants.
The free radical scavenging activity of the 80% methanolic extracts from fresh leaves of 300 Chinese medical woody plants was assessed with the aid of the stable DPPH radical. Among the plants screened, 56 species had strong free radical scavenging capacities, with IC50 values lower than 0.5 mg leaves per milliliter. Analysis of the medical uses of these plants showed that most of them are employed for their effects on hemostasis, as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial or for treatment of dysentery. These uses may be directly linked to the content in tannins and flavonoids and consequently to their free radical scavenging activities.
Hu
Fenglin
F
Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, PR China. hufenglin@hotmail.com
Lu
Ruili
R
Huang
Bao
B
Liang
Ming
M
D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D018515:Plant Leaves; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl