Antioxidant Activity of Maslinic Acid, a Triterpene Derivative Obtained from Olea europaea

Abstract

We investigated the effect of maslinic acid (a triterpene derivative obtained from olive pomace), on the susceptibility of plasma or hepatocyte membranes to lipid peroxidation (LPO), induced respectively by the hydroxyl radical (OH^.) generated by Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ ex vivo and by the system Fe³⁺/ascorbate in vitro; moreover, three groups of animals used in the plasma study were pretreated with CCl₄ (to generate CCl₃ ^-.). Endogenous plasma lipoperoxide levels and susceptibility to LPO were decreased in rats treated with maslinic acid, after exposure to OH^. by Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ (Fenton reaction). Co-incubation with maslinic acid prevented hepatocyte membrane LPO as shown by the reduction of TBARS. In conclusion, maslinic acid may offer some advantages in the resistance of oxidative stress in the animals.

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