Antioxidant activity and protective effect on DNA of ethanolic extract, 2´,4´-dihydroxychalcone and 2´,4´-dihydroxy-3´-methoxychalcone from Zuccagnia punctata Cav.

VATTUONE, M. A.; SGARIGLIA, M.A.; SOBERÓN, J.R.; SAMPIETRO, D.A.; QUIROGA, E.N.

Tucuman (Argentina)

Congreso; XXIV Annual Scientific Meeting of Tucuman Biology Society; 2008

Tucuman Biology Society (publicado en Bio Cell 32 (2), A89, 2008)

Zuccagnia punctata Cav. Is used in folk medicine to alleviate illness (dermatitis, arthritis, asthma, rheumatism) and as an antitumoral and antimicrobial agent. The purpose of this work was to study the protective effect on DNA damage produced by ethanolic extracts, 2´, 4´-dihydroxychalcone, and 2´, 4´-dihydroxy-3´-methoxychalcone to determine their antioxidative capacity and their influence on lipid peroxidation. The breakdown of DNA (pBR 322) was produced by its UV irradiation in the presence of H2O2, suggesting HO participation. The extract and the chalcones inhibited the DNA linear form formation. They scavenged the superoxide anion and the free radical DPPH. Lipoperoxidation inhibition was demostrated by TBARS production. In all instances 2´, 4´-dihydroxychalcone showed more efficiency than 2´,4´-dihidroxy-3´-methoxychalcone, both motr than the ethanolic extract. This is the first reporto n the protective effect of ethanolic extract of Zuccagnia punctata and the two identified chalcones on DNA breakdown caused by the products of H2O2 photolysis by UV radiation.