Abstract

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the rate of production and clearance of oxidant, which ultimately causes the various pathologies. Antioxidants are any substances, including endogenous and exogenous antioxidant which can inhibit the oxidation reaction. Currently, antioxidant supplementation derived from natural source, especially medicinal plants is more interested. Thunbergia laurifolia, a Thai traditional herb, is classified as Acanthaceae family and is the most widely distributed in the northern part of Thailand. Major compounds of T. laurifolia are apigenin, caffeic acid, flavonoids and chlorophyll derivatives which exhibit the antioxidant properties. T. laurifolia extract demonstrates antioxidant properties both in vitro and in vivo. It is able to reduce Oxidative stress (OS)-induced pathology by increasing endogenous antioxidant system and reducing oxidation reaction of macromolecules. Due to high antioxidant ability and low toxicity, T. laurifolia is proper for application as natural antioxidant supplementation to prevent oxidative stress-related pathology.

Key words: Thunbergia laurifolia, acanthaceae, antioxidant, oxidative stress.