Antioxidant activity of extract from Polygonum cuspidatum

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Free radicals contribute to numerous diseases through oxidative damage.
• Plant extracts are known for their antioxidant properties.
• The antioxidant potential of Polygonum cuspidatum was previously uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antioxidant activity of Polygonum cuspidatum root extract.
• To quantify its efficacy in scavenging various free radicals.
• To assess its protective effects against oxidative DNA damage.

Main Methods:

• Ethanol extraction and lyophilization of Polygonum cuspidatum roots.
• In vitro assays including free radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, and lipid peroxidation assays.
• Hydroxyl radical-induced DNA strand scission assays were performed.

Main Results:

• The extract showed IC50 values of 110 µg/ml (free radical scavenging), 3.2 µg/ml (superoxide radical scavenging), and 8 µg/ml (lipid peroxidation).
• Polygonum cuspidatum extract exhibited a protective effect against DNA strand scission induced by hydroxyl radicals.
• Total phenolics and flavonoid content were measured at 641.1 ± 42.6 mg/g and 62.3 ± 6.0 mg/g, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Polygonum cuspidatum root extract possesses significant antioxidant properties.
• The extract effectively neutralizes free radicals and mitigates oxidative stress.
• These findings support the use of Polygonum cuspidatum as a natural antioxidant agent.