Radical scavenger effect of Boschniakia rossica.

To elucidate the mechanism of the invigorating and antisenile action of the dried herb of Boschniakia rossica (Boschniakiae Herba), the free radical scavenging activity of its 50% ethanol extract (BR) was examined using an electron spin resonance spectrometer. The scavenging activity of plasma from Fisher-334 rats with continuous administration of BR was also examined. The concentrations showing 50% inhibition of the free radical of BR on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical, superoxide radical and hydroxyl radical were 0.003%, 0.06% and 9.67%, respectively. Plasma from the rats with BR administered clearly showed higher free radical scavenging activity compared with that of normal control rats. These findings suggest that Boschniakia rossica has strong free radical scavenging activity and consequently it has inhibitory effects on the disorders caused by free radical production in living tissue.