Nitric oxide-scavenging and antioxidant effects of Uraria crinita root

The antioxidant activity and the nitric oxide-scavenging effect of methanol extracts (MEUR), and their ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), from Uraria crini ta root, were investigated. The results of the comet assay indicated that b oth MEUR and EAF could inhibit DNA damage in macrophage induced by sodium n itroprusside at a concentration of 25-200 mug/ml. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined using the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capa city (TEAC) assay. The TEAC values of MEUR and EAF were 0.2 and 0.4, respec tively, at a concentration of 200 mug/ml. The antioxidant activity and nitr ic oxide-scavenging effect of MEUR and EAF showed concentration-dependence. In addition, the results also showed a decreasing effect on nitric oxide p roduction of lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7, for both extracts. One o f the major antioxidative components was isolated from EAF and was identifi ed as genistein, on the basis of UV-vis spectral, IR, MS and NMR analyses. Thus, the traditional edible plant, Uraria crinita, may have potential as a n antioxidant and as a nitric oxide-scavenging agent. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd. All rights reserved.