Purifying capacity of free radicals and cytotoxicity of plant extracts

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

Molecular Medicinal Chemistry

Idecefyn

Lugar: Buenos Aires. Argentina; Año: 2006 vol. 11 p. 50 - 52

1666-888X

Free radicals are chemical species that show an odd electron in the external orbital of the atomic structure, giving it a space configuration that gives rise great unstability. The oxidative damage or stress occurs when the living matter is exposed to diverse sources that either produce a balance rupture that should exist among substances or prooxidant factors, and the antioxidant mechanisms in charge of eliminating these chemical species, because of a defense deficit or a high increment of reactive oxygen species production. Consequently, structure-function relationship in any organ, system or specialized cellular group is altered. Therefore, it is recognized as a general mechanism of cell damage, associated to physiopathologic processes (Aruoma, 1996). Phenolic compounds (PC) from plants are an inexhaustible source of natural antioxidants. Natural polyphenols include simple molecules (phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids) and polymeric compounds (lignins, tannins), all can delocalize electrons in their molecules and exhibit a wide range of biological effects: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemiant, antialergic, anticarcinogenic, etc; many of these biological effects were attributed to their free radical capture capacity. The aim of this work is to determine the antioxidant capacity of acqueous and alcoholic extracts of Caesalpinia paraguariensis, Verbascum virgatum and Cestrum parqui, native plant species popularly used for the treatment of ailments and affections, and to estimate the degree of cytotoxicity of their extracts to support their medicinal use.