Antioxidant activity of flavonoids from Solanum melongena.

Flavonoids isolated from Solanum melongena (brinjal) showed potent antioxidant activity. Concentrations of malondialdehyde, hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes were lowered significantly. The activity of catalase was found to be significantly enhanced in the tissues of normal and cholesterol fed rats administered 1 mg flavonoid from brinjal/100 g BW/day. The concentration of glutathione also showed elevated values in the experimental animals. The elevated levels of glutathione and significantly stimulated activity of catalase may be responsible for the antioxidant effect of these flavonoids. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.