ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTY OF FRUCTUS MOMORDICAE EXTRACT

The antioxidant effect of Fructus Momordicae extract, FME (mogrosides 75 similar to 80%), was studied. FME reduced the stable free radical 1 ,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and scavenged superoxide radicals (O-2(-)) generated by a hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase system. It a lso scavenged hydroxyl radicals (. OH) generated by Fenton reaction. I n addition, FME inhibited Fe(II) induced lipid peroxidation in rat cor tex homogenates in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by decreased thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TEARS) formation. Oral admini stration of FME inhibited TEARS and malonaldehyde (MDA) formation in t he ipsilateral cortex 30 min after iron-salt injection into the left c ortex of rat. FME showed inhibitory effect on 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal ( 4-HNE) formation induced by Fe(III) injection into the rat cortex. The se data suggest that Fructus Momordicae extract has an antioxidant act ivity against free radicals and lipid peroxidation.