Elena Creţu1, Adriana Trifan2, Ana Clara Aprotosoaie2, Anca Miron2. 1. Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa, Iasi. 2. Discipline of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa, Iasi.
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Cedrus brevifolia (Hook. f.) Henry, a species endemic to Cyprus, has not been studied regarding its constituents and potential biological activities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A crude extract from Cedrus brevifolia bark and its four fractions (diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions) were investigated regarding their capacity to inhibit 15-lipoxygenase and scavenge reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals). Catechin was used as positive control in all antioxidant assays. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In the superoxide anion radical scavenging assay, the crude extract showed the highest activity (EC50 = 57.73 +/- 1.25 microg/mL) comparable to that of the positive control, catechin (EC50 = 52.60 +/- 1.65 microg/mL). All other fractions exhibited noticeable scavenging effects against superoxide radical, their EC50 values ranging from 76.33 +/- 3.50 to 91.06 +/- 4.45 microg/mL. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were the most active in the hydroxyl radical scavenging (EC50 = 580.20 +/- 18.72 and 792.10 +/- 15.36 microg/mL, respectively) and 15-lipoxygenase inhibition assays (EC50 = 34.0 +/- 0.9 and 40.96 +/- 0.45 microg/mL, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Cedrus brevifolia bark is a valuable source of compounds with reactive oxygen species and 15-lipoxygenase inhibitory activities. These results support further studies for the identification and isolation of the bioactive constituents.
UNLABELLED: Cedrus brevifolia (Hook. f.) Henry, a species endemic to Cyprus, has not been studied regarding its constituents and potential biological activities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A crude extract from Cedrus brevifolia bark and its four fractions (diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions) were investigated regarding their capacity to inhibit 15-lipoxygenase and scavenge reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals). Catechin was used as positive control in all antioxidant assays. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In the superoxide anion radical scavenging assay, the crude extract showed the highest activity (EC50 = 57.73 +/- 1.25 microg/mL) comparable to that of the positive control, catechin (EC50 = 52.60 +/- 1.65 microg/mL). All other fractions exhibited noticeable scavenging effects against superoxide radical, their EC50 values ranging from 76.33 +/- 3.50 to 91.06 +/- 4.45 microg/mL. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were the most active in the hydroxyl radical scavenging (EC50 = 580.20 +/- 18.72 and 792.10 +/- 15.36 microg/mL, respectively) and 15-lipoxygenase inhibition assays (EC50 = 34.0 +/- 0.9 and 40.96 +/- 0.45 microg/mL, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:Cedrus brevifolia bark is a valuable source of compounds with reactive oxygen species and 15-lipoxygenase inhibitory activities. These results support further studies for the identification and isolation of the bioactive constituents.