Inhibitory activity of xanthine-oxidase and superoxide scavenger properties of Inga verna subsp affinis. Its morphological and micrographic characteristics

Hexane, dichloromethane and ethanolic extracts of Inga verna subsp, affinis were evaluated as inhibitors of xanthine-oxidase and as scavengers of the superoxide produced by the action of the enzyme. Ethanolic but not hexane a nd dichloromethane extracts showed inhibitory properties of xanthine-oxidas e (IC50 = 27.3 mug/ml) with an additional superoxide scavenging capacity (I C50 = 12.7 mug/ml). The antioxidant potential was confirmed with the free r adical 1.1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, which showed that the e thanolic extract scavenges 50% DPPH free radicals at 11.6 mug/ml. HPLC stud y of the phenol content of the active extract: revealed the presence of ell agic and gallic acids as its main constituents. The main morphological and micrographic characteristics of Inga verna subsp. affinis are described in this paper too, in order to aid in its inequivocal identification since Ing a spp. are noted for their morphological variation, which makes taxonomic c lassification very difficult. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.