Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_509
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-987289

Antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of two Spanish Betulaceae species

D Muñoz-Mingarro 1, N Acero 1, MT Dominguez 1, F Llinares 1
  • 1Universidad CEU San Pablo Facultad de Farmacia. Urb. Montepríncipe. 28660 Boadilla del Monte. SPAIN

Extracts from Betulaceae leaves and bark, had been used traditionally in popular medicine for the treatment of several diseases [1]. A special interest for the study of the secondary metabolites of Betulaceae plants had emerged since 1994, due to the ability of betulinic acid against human melanoma [2]. Moreover, the antitumoral, apoptotic, antimetastasic, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of some Betulaceae extracts had been proved [3]. However, there are no studies about the pharmacological application of extracts or products obtained from Spanish Betulaceae.

The antioxidant properties of two Spanish Betulaceae, Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. and Betula alba L., were investigated. A methanol extract of leaves and bark of both species exhibited hight 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Moreover, an ABTS assay and their suppressive effects on superoxide (O2 -) generation using xanthine (XA)-xanthine oxidase (XOD) assay system were evaluated. The extracts of A. glutinosa were effective inhibiting both uric acid formation and NTB reduction by the superoxide radical.

Determination of the GSH/GSSG ratio is a useful indicator of oxidative stress and can be used to monitor the effectiveness of antioxidant intervention strategies. In this way a GSH assay was performed with three tumoral cell lines, PC-3, HT-29 and HeLa. A. glutinosa leaves extract was the most effective.

In addition, the content of total phenols in all the extracts was determined with spectrophotometric methods. Results were compared with reference antioxidants (ascorbic and gallic acid).

The antioxidant activity was correlated with total phenols extracts content [4]. The results confirm that this type of secondary metabolites may explain the observed antioxidant property.

Acknowledgements: CEU San Pablo University

References: [1] Sang, T.K. et al. (2004) Phytother. Res., 18(12): 971–975. [2] Joo, S.S. et al. (2002) Arch. Pharm. Res., 25: 493–9. [3] Ju, E.M., et al. (2004) Life Sci. 74(8): 1013–26. [4] Alasavar, C. (2006) J. Agric. Food Chem. 54: 4826–32