In vitro determination of the antioxidant capacity of extracts and phenolic compounds from Ugni molinae Turcz. leaves

Marcia Avello Lorca, Edgar Pastene Navarrete, Margarita González Riquelme, Magalis Bittner Berner, José Becerra Allende

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Introduction: Ugni molinae Turcz., (Myrtaceae) is a plant that is distributed in central-southern of Chile, including Juan Fernández Islands. The leaves have been used in folk medicine for diarrhea and oral infections due to their astringent and antiseptic properties.
Objective:
antioxidant activity of two extracts (ethyl acetate and methanol) from U. molinae leaves was assessed in several assays.
Methods:
HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) for chemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant methods.
Results:
HPLC profiling of both extracts showed the presence of flavan-3-ols (catechin) and gallic acid, flavonoids and caffeic acid derivates as main constituents. These extracts showed significant activity on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and hydroxyl radical assays. It is noteworthy that bleaching of b-carotene-linoleate liposomes and copper-induced oxidation of human LDL were prevented by both extracts.
Conclusions:
results suggest that polyphenol-rich extracts of U. molinae could slow down lipid peroxidation and limit free radical damage.