Purifying activity of free radicals and mutagenic controls of Loranthaceae extracts

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

Molecular Medicinal Chemistry

Idecefyn

Lugar: Buenos Aires. Argentina; Año: 2006 vol. 11 p. 26 - 27

1666-888X

Free radicals are highly reactive species, responsible for diverse health dysfunctions, e.g., heart problems, cell aging processes and carcinogenesis. Mutagenic activity also involves the action of free radicals at genomic level, with hereditary alterations. Punctual DNA mutations and  chromosomal reorganizations may activate either prooncogens or inactivate tumor suppressive genes, which are often involved in carcinogenesis. The demand of antioxidants (free radical scavenging substances) of natural sources has been increased, in part because of the doubts regarding to the safety in the use of synthetic antioxidants, such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) or butylated hydroxyanisol (BHA). This work comparatively studies the antioxidant and antimutagenic activities of plant extracts from two species of the Loranthaceae family. The mutagenic activities were also studied.