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ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY TEST
Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
such as hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals are
continuously formed during normal physiological processes (e.g. mitochondrial respiratory
chain) and also by exogenous factors (e.g.
toxins). Under normal conditions, the level of these species are kept
checked by our antioxidant defences and hence only their important physiological
roles such as in cellular/subcellular signalling is noticed. Under abnormal
physiological conditions, however, the production of ROS formation may exceed their
destruction and lead to the development of pathological conditions. Cancer,
ageing, Alzheimer's
disease and inflammatory disorders are among the few
disease conditions associated with ROS. Natural antioxidants that
either reduce the formation of ROS, those that directly neutralise ROS or those
with potential for enhancing our antioxidant defences are thus required to
combat diseases mediated by ROS. For many decades, there has also been a
growing interest in finding natural antioxidants that could safely prolong the
shelf-life of foods and uses as as nutraceuticals.
In our laboratories, we routinely
screen plant-derived potential antioxidants by using the following models:
1. Chemical assays that measure the
scavenging potential of test agents against ROS.
2. Assays based on the interaction of
ROS with key biological molecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids.
3. Bioassays that measure potential
antioxidant activity in a cellular system.
For any further information on the
subject or collaborative and/or consultancy work please
contact the site owner.
You may also find the following key publications of interest:
Habtemariam
S. (2007). Antioxidant activity of
Knipholone anthrone.
Food Chemistry 102: 1042-1047.
Habtemariam, S.
and Jackson, C. (2007). Antioxidant and cytoprotective
activity of leaves of Peltiphyllum peltatum (Torr.) Engl.
Food Chemistry 105, 498–503
....please also visit our
publications' page
for more references.
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