Protective Activity of Hertia Cheirifolia Extracts Against DNA Damage, Lipid Peroxidation and Protein Oxidation

Abstract

Context: Hertia cheirifolia L. (Asteraceae), a perennial shrub widely distributed in Northern Africa, is traditionally used to treat inflammatory disorders. Objective: The protective effect of methanol (Met E) and aqueous (Aq E) extracts of Hertia cheirifolia against DNA, lipid and protein oxidation was investigated. Materials and methods: Different concentrations (50-1000 µg/mL) of Hertia cheirifolia aerial part extracts were examined against DNA, lipid and protein oxidation induced by H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf>+UV, FeSO<inf>4</inf>,and Fe3+/H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf>- ascorbic acid, respectively. The DPPH•, metal ion chelating, reducing power and β-carotene bleaching tests were conducted. Results: Both extracts were rich in polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins, and were able to scavenge DPPH• with IC<inf>50</inf> values of 138 and 197 µg/mL, respectively. At 300 lg/mL, Aq E exerted stronger chelating effect (99%) than Met E (69%). However, Met E reducing power (IC<inf>50</inf>=61 µg/mL) was more than that of Aq E (IC<inf>50</inf>=193 µg/mL). Both extracts protected from b-carotene bleaching by 74% and 94%, respectively, and inhibited linoleic acid peroxidation. The inhibitory activity of Aq E extract (64%) was twice more than that of Met E (32%). Interestingly, both extracts protected DNA against the cleavage by about 96-98%. At µmg/mL, Met E and Aq E restored protein band intensity by 94-99%. Conclusions: Hertia cheirifolia exhibits potent antioxidant activity and protects biomolecules against oxidative damage; hence, it may serve as potential source of natural antioxidant for pharmaceutical applications and food preservation. This is the first report on the protective activity of this plant against biomolecule oxidation. © 2016 The Author(s).