Antioxidative and Radical Scavenging Properties of Extracts from Geum japonicum

  • Cho, Kang-Jin (Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology) ;
  • Kim, Jong-Bum (Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology) ;
  • Kim, Jung-Bong (Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology) ;
  • Kim, Dong-Gil (Hamyang Medicinal Crop Exp. Station, Gyeongnam Rural Development Office) ;
  • Kim, Haeng-Ran (Division of Home Management, National Rural Living Science Institute, Rural Development of Administration) ;
  • Hwang, Young-Soo (Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology)
  • Received : 2001.05.07
  • Published : 2001.06.30

Abstract

Extracts from Geum japonicum (Bammu in Korean) were analyzed for their antioxidative activities and scavenging effects on free radicals. The ethyl acetate fraction of G. japonicum methanol extract (EFGJ) showed a remarkable scavenging activity on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical. EFGJ also showed excellent antioxidative activity on linoleic acid during long-period storage and on rat liver microsome peroxidation system, and good anti-peroxidation effect on lipid in Rancimat system using lard, palm oil, and perilla oil, as compared with BHT and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. Varying effects of antioxidative activity of the EFGJ on various fatty acids were observed. The prevention of linoleic acid and linolenic acid peroxidation was superior to ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, but inferior to BHT. The methanol extract of G. japonicum did not show mutagenicity as revealed through SOS chromotest. Based on the results, the extracts of G. japonicum may be useful source as natural antioxidants.

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