Antioxidant capacity and antitumor activity of Fructus Xochiae extracts

摘要

Fructus Kochiae (dried fruit of Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad., broom cypress fruit), widely distributed in the northwest of China, has been used as medicinal and edible plant for thousands of years. The antioxidant activities and antitumor effect of aqueous and 50% ethanol Fructus Kochiae extracts were investigated. Furthermore, the content of momordin Ic by HPLC and the antioxidant activity by protein oxidation model were evaluated. Fructus Kochiae extracts could effectively scavenge different free radicals and suppress growth of cancer cells. The activity of ethanol extracts was more remarkable than aqueous ones especially for hydroxyl-induced oxidation. Moreover, ethanol extract was found to have higher amount of momordin Ic than aqueous ones. Momordin Ic was effective in inhibiting protein oxidation and carbonylation. Fructus Kochiae extracts could be developed as appreciable food additives with antioxidant activity and momordin Ic was an active component which partly contributed to the antioxidant activity.