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Free radical scavenging capacity and protective effect of Bacopa monniera L. on DNA damage
Author(s) -
Russo Alessandra,
Izzo Angelo A.,
Borrelli Francesca,
Renis Marcella,
Vanella Angelo
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.1061
Subject(s) - dna damage , antioxidant , chemistry , cytotoxicity , pharmacology , hydrogen peroxide , dna , traditional medicine , biochemistry , medicine , in vitro
Bacopa monniera L. (family Scrophulariaceae) (BM) is an Ayurvedic medicine, clinically used for memory enhancing, epilepsy, insomnia and as a mild sedative. In this work, the free radical scavenging capacity of a methanol extract of BM and the effect on DNA cleavage induced by H 2 O 2 UV‐photolysis was investigated. In addition, we examined whether this plant extract is capable of reducing the hydrogen peroxide‐induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage in human non‐immortalized broblasts. It showed a dose‐dependent free radical scavenging capacity and a protective effect on DNA cleavage. These results were conrmed by a signicant protective effect on H 2 O 2 – induced cytoxicity and DNA damage in human non‐immortalized broblasts. The antioxidant capacity of BM may explain, at least in part, the reported antistress, immunomodulatory, cognition‐facilitating, antiinammatory and antiaging effects produced by it in experimental animals and in clinical situations and may justify further investigation of its other benecial properties. Moreover, this experimental evidence suggests that because of its antioxidant activity, this Ayurvedic drug may be useful in the treatment of human pathologies in which free radical production plays a key role. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.