Abstract

In this research, we compared and analyzed the anti-oxidant activity of ten medicinal plants using an oriental medicine and a folk remedy. Among them, the extracts from Oenothera odorata had the highest anti-oxidant effect. The extracts from the root, stem and flower ofO. odorata were tested by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity test, 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay. Stem and flower extracts of O. odorata were similar to the activity of quercetin, one of the most anti-oxidants in DPPH radical scavenging activity test, and the root extracts showed a weak DPPH radical scavenging activity. In MTT cell viability assay, the extracts from the flower, stem, and root were resistant against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) treatment in order. The extracts from the root, stem and flower showed higher cell protection effect than those from quercetin against LDH cytotoxicity. And β-sitosterol from the extracts of stem was isolated. These results suggest that the extracts from the flower, stem, and root of O. odorata might be a source of anti-oxidants.

Key words: Anti-oxidants, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity,Oenothera odorata.