Antioxidant and pro-oxidant evaluation of a Potentilla alba L. rhizome extract

Using spectrophotometric methods, a H(2) O-soluble Potentilla alba L. rhizome extract was evaluated phytochemically, i.e., the total phenol, flavonoid, flavonol, flavanone, and proanthocyanidin contents were determined, and its antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties, i.e., the Fe(III) reductive and the Fe(II) chelating properties, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH(*)), N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD(*+)), and superoxide anion radical (O2*-)-scavenging activities, the capacity to inhibit hydroxyl radical (HO(*))-mediated deoxy-D-ribose and phospholipid degradation, and the interaction with the Cu-catalyzed HO(*) -mediated DNA degradation, were determined. The extract was found to contain a range of phenolic compounds recognized to possess strong antioxidant-like properties. Moreover, the extract demonstrated dose-dependent activities in all the antioxidant assays with the exception of the DNA-degradation assay, where the components within the extract interfered with the assay components at concentrations ≥1.00 mg/ml. Potentilla species are known for their curative properties, with aerial/subterranean parts being prescribed for numerous indications. The data presented here suggests, though does not conclude, that the rhizomes contain compounds possessing a range of antioxidant-related properties, which may underpin the therapeutic, viz., anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic effects, ascribed to species of this genus.