title: Inhibition of Heinz body induction in an in vitro model and total antioxidant activity of medicinal Thai plants.
abstract: Herbs have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries and known to possess antioxidant properties that may help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. We screen aqueous extracts from 20 medicinal plants in Thailand that were believed to possess anti-tumor activity, help immune-stimulating property and maintain blood stasis. The antioxidant activities were investigated in two bioassays. Firstly, we demonstrated inhibition of Heinz bodies induction caused by oxidants under in vitro condition. The percentages of Heinz body inhibition activity in plant extracts from Terminalia citrina, Cassia timoriensis, and Derris elliptica were the highest followed by Anamirta cocculus, and Oroxylum indicum respectively. In addition, we investigated total antioxidant activity in plant extracts by improved ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. The total antioxidant activity of the extract from Terminalia citrina was also the highest activity followed by Ficus pubigera, Derris elliptica, Anamirta cocculus, Caesalpinia sappan, and Oroxylum indicum respectively. Our results suggest medicinal Thai plants as valuable sources of antioxidants, which may have a potential anti-carcinogenic activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Attakorn.P@chula.ac.th
authors.forename: Attakorn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palasuwan
authors.forename: Suphan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soogarun
authors.forename: Tamaporn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lertlum
authors.forename: Paweena
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pradniwat
authors.forename: Viroj
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wiwanitkit
mesh_terms: D052160:Benzothiazoles; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D003124:Colorimetry; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006366:Heinz Bodies / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D018514:Plant Structures; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D052160:Benzothiazoles; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; C002502:2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid