Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidants for Cosmetic Applications Using Polyol-Based Technology
Published on: August 23, 2024
Phenolic alkaloids as a new class of antioxidants in Portulaca oleracea
Zijuan Yang1, Cejia Liu, Lan Xiang
1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
Abstract:
Antioxidant activities of three phenolic alkaloids, i.e., oleracein A (OA), oleracein B (OB) and oleracein E (OE), isolated from Portulaca oleracea were determined, based on scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical and inhibitory effect on hydrogen peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of these phenolic alkaloids were lower than caffeic acid but higher than ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol, being in the following order: OB > OA > OE. OE was most potent in preventing formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) with an EC(50) value of 73.13 microM, close to that of caffeic acid (72.09 microM). It was demonstrated that phenolic alkaloids served as a new class of antioxidant agents in this plant.
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation of Phenols to Quinones
o-hydroxy phenols are oxidized to o-quinones and p-hydroxy phenols to p-quinones. Such redox reactions involve the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The reversible redox property is crucial in...
Radical Autoxidation
