Abstract
Objectives : Peroxynitrite $(ONOO^-),\;{\cdot}O_2^-$ and nitric oxide (NO) are cytotoxic species that can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. It has been implicated in the aging process and age-related disease such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate $ONOO^-$ scavengactivities, and that of its precursors, NO and ${\cdot}O_2^-$ of Samjunghwan. Methods : To investigate $ONOO^-,\;NO,\;{\cdot}O_2^-$ scavenging activities, fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Results : Samjunghwan markedly scavenged authentic $ONOO^-,\;{\cdot}O_2^-$ and NO. It also inhibited $ONOO^-$ induced by .02' and NO which are derived from SIN-I. Furthermore, Samjunghwan inhibited $ONOO^-$, ${\cdot}O_2^-$ and NO generation in LPS-treated ICR mouse kidney postmitochondria. Conclusions : These results suggest that Samjunghwan is an effective $ONOO^-,\;{\cdot}O_2^-$ and NO scavenger, and that this substance has a potential role as an inhibitor of aging process, and in therapy against age-related diseases.