title: Determination of superoxide dismutase mimetic activity in common culinary herbs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Under conditions of oxidative stress, the removal of superoxide, a free radical associated with chronic inflammation, is catalysed by superoxide dismutase (SOD). Thus in addition to acting as an antioxidant, SOD may also be utilized as an anti-inflammatory agent. Some plant derived foods have been shown to have SOD mimetic (SODm) activity however it is not known if this activity is possessed by culinary herbs which have previously been shown to possess both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the study was to ascertain if the culinary herbs rosemary, sage and thyme possess SODm activity, and to investigate the influence of cooking and digestion on this activity. Transition metal ion content was also determined to establish if it could likely contribute to any SODm activity detected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All extracts of uncooked (U), cooked (C) and cooked and digested (C&D) herbs were shown to possess SODm activity, which was significantly correlated with previously determined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of these herbs. SODm activity was significantly increased following (C) and (C&D) for rosemary and sage only. The impact of (C) and (C&D) on the SODm for thyme may have been influenced by its transition metal ion content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SODm activity may contribute to the herbs' antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities however the source and significance of this activity need to be established.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary's University, Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, TW1 4SX UK.
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chohan
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE UK.
authors.forename: Declan P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Naughton
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Opara
keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Antioxidant; Culinary herbs; Superoxide dismutase mimetic activity