Michael Buenor Adinortey1, Charles Ansah2, Alexander Weremfo1, Cynthia Ayefoumi Adinortey3, Genevieve Etornam Adukpo4, Elvis Ofori Ameyaw5, Alexander Kwadwo Nyarko6
1Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
2Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
3Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
4Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
5Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
6Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology School of Pharmacy, University of , Accra, Ghana.
DOI: 10.4103/jnsbm.JNSBM_22_17
Abstract
Background: The leaf extract of Launaea taraxacifolia commonly known as African Lettuce is used locally to treat dyslipidemia and liver diseases, which are associated with oxidative stress. Methanol extract from L. taraxacifolia leaves was tested for its antioxidant activity and its ability to protect DNA from oxidative damage. Materials and Methods: In vitro antioxidant potential of the leaf extract was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO), and hydroxyl (OH) radical scavenging assays. Ferric reducing power, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), metal chelating, and anti-lipid peroxidation ability of the extract were also examined using gallic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as standards. Results: L. taraxacifolia leaves extract showed antioxidant activity with IC50values of 16.18 μg/ml (DPPH), 123.3 μg/ml (NO), 128.2 μg/ml (OH radical), 97.94 μg/ml (metal chelating), 80.28 μg/ml (TAC), and 23 μg/ml (anti-lipid peroxidation activity). L. taraxacifolia leaves extract exhibited a strong capability for DNA damage protection at 20 mg/ml concentration. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the methanolic leaf extract of L. taraxacifolia could be used as a natural antioxidant and also as a preventive therapy against diseases such as arteriosclerosis associated with DNA damage.
Keywords: Antioxidant, DNA damage, Launaea taraxacifolia, Oxidative stress, Scavenging.
