title: Antioxidant activity of supercritical extract of Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis and Melissa officinalis subsp. inodora.
abstract: The antioxidant activity of Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis and of Melissa officinalis subsp. inodora extracts, obtained by using carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions was investigated. The samples were prepared in two steps. A preliminary extraction at 90 bar and 50 degrees C eliminated the essential oil, then a further extraction at 300 bar and 50 degrees C obtained the high molecular mass extract. These samples were tested for autoxidation and the iron or EDTA-mediated oxidation of linoleic acid at 37 degrees C in the absence of solvent, in in vitro systems. During linoleic acid autoxidation and its EDTA-mediated oxidation both M. officinalis and M. inodora extracts showed an antioxidant activity, and no significant differences in their efficacy were observed. None showed any prooxidant activity.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy. maronb@unica.it
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marongiu
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Porcedda
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piras
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deiana
authors.forename: Maria Assunta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dessì
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D025924:Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D031334:Melissa; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D004492:Edetic Acid; D019787:Linoleic Acid