Antioxidant Activities and Free Radical Scavenging Potential of Bauhinia microstachya (RADDI) MACBR. (Caesalpinaceae) Extracts Linked to Their Polyphenol Content

• Published in: Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin Vol. 30; no. 8; pp. 1488 - 1496
• Main Authors: Silva, Evandro Gomes da, Behr, Guilherme Antonio, Zanotto-Filho, Alfeu, Lorenzi, Rodrigo, Matheus Augusto de Bittencourt Pasquali, Ravazolo, Luis Gustavo, Bordignon, Celso Luis, Jr, Silva, Francilene Amaral da, Aboy, Ana Lúcia, Bassani, Valquiria Linck, Henriques, Amélia Teresinha, Reginatto, Flávio Henrique, Dal-Pizzol, Felipe, Moreira, José Cláudio Fonseca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan 01-08-2007; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: antioxidant; Antioxidants - metabolism; Bauhinia - chemistry; Bauhinia microstachya; Chromans - pharmacology; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Ethanol; Flavonoids - chemistry; Flavonoids - pharmacology; Free Radical Scavengers - pharmacology; HPLC analysis; Hydroxyl Radical - metabolism; in vitro system; Luminescence; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; phenolic compound; Phenols - chemistry; Phenols - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Polyphenols; Solvents; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Superoxides - metabolism; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances - metabolism; Water; Xanthine Oxidase - metabolism
• ISSN: 0918-6158; 1347-5215
• DOI: 10.1248/bpb.30.1488

Aqueous and hydro-ethanolic extracts of Bauhinia microstachya leaves (AEBM and HEBM) were investigated for their phenolic content and phytochemical profile (by spectrophotometry and HPLC), and for their antioxidant activities and free radical scavenging potential in different in vitro systems (TRAP, TEAC, TBARS, nitric oxide, superoxide and hydroxyl radical). HEBM presented a 27.4% higher content of phenolics when compared to AEBM and a distinct phytochemical profile was observed. Our work suggests that both extracts have potent antioxidant activities and that their antioxidant capacity and efficiency vary according to the radical-generating system. In general, HEBM was more effective than AEBM in avoiding ROS-generating damage and in scavenging the various radicals formed. Nevertheless, when results were normalized to total phenolic content, a different profile of antioxidant activities and free radical scavenging potential was observed, particularly against oxidative lipid damage and superoxide radical. B. microstachya extracts may be considered an interesting source of natural antioxidants as well as other phenolic-rich plants.