Non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant variations in tender and mature leaves of Strychnos nux-vomica L. (Family: Loganiaceae)

C R Biol. 2009 Jan;332(1):52-7. doi: 10.1016/j.crvi.2008.09.012. Epub 2008 Dec 31.

Abstract

In the present investigation, Strychnos nux-vomica, an important plant used in traditional medicine, was evaluated for its antioxidant potential. The antioxidant potentials were examined in terms of non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules and activities of antioxidant enzymes. The non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules studied were ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and reduced glutathione. The estimated antioxidant enzymes were superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. The analyses were carried out in the field-collected leaf samples. It was found that plant contained a significant quantity of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants in the leaves. These findings have high significance in the pharmacological industry; however, a detailed investigation is needed to confirm this conclusion, by radical scavenging ability, which is underway in our laboratory.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / analysis*
  • Ascorbate Peroxidases
  • Catalase / analysis
  • Catechol Oxidase / analysis
  • Peroxidase / analysis
  • Peroxidases / analysis
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry*
  • Plant Leaves / enzymology
  • Plant Leaves / growth & development
  • Plant Proteins / analysis*
  • Strychnos nux-vomica / chemistry*
  • Strychnos nux-vomica / growth & development
  • Superoxide Dismutase / analysis

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Plant Proteins
  • Catechol Oxidase
  • Peroxidases
  • Ascorbate Peroxidases
  • Catalase
  • Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase