Antioxidant property of Fructus Momordicae extract.

The antioxidant effect of Fructus Momordicae extract, FME (mogrosides 75 approximately 80%), was studied. FME reduced the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and scavenged superoxide radicals (O2-) generated by a hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase system. It also scavenged hydroxyl radicals (.OH) generated by Fenton reaction. In addition, FME inhibited Fe(II) induced lipid peroxidation in rat cortex homogenates in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by decreased thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) formation. Oral administration of FME inhibited TBARS and malonaldehyde (MDA) formation in the ipsilateral cortex 30 min after iron-salt injection into the left cortex of rat. FME showed inhibitory effect on 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal (4-HNE) formation induced by Fe(III) injection into the rat cortex. These data suggest that Fructus Momordicae extract has an antioxidant activity against free radicals and lipid peroxidation.