Enzymatic and Non-enzymatic Antioxidants of <i>Calamintha officinalis</i> Moench Extracts

Abstract

<em>Calamintha officinalis</em> (COM) is a genus of aromatic herbs, native in north of Iran. Partial purification of aqueous extract from COM was done using ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by dialysis. The total protein content was determined at various purification stages. The highest amount of protein of the extract was found in fraction obtained in 20-40% saturation range. Specific activities of three antioxidant enzymes, peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were also determined and compared in each stage. The highest activity of peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase was in fractions 60-80%, 20-40%, and 20-40% respectively. The non-enzymatic antioxidants were evaluated by two different <br /> methods i.e. free radical scavenging activity using DPPH and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by the ferric thiocyanate method. It was found that radical scavenging power of COM methanolic extract was 43.99. Furthermore, the inhibition of li<br /> pid peroxidation of the extract was decreased every 24 h. Thus, our findings suggested that <em>C. officinalis</em> possess potent antioxidant defense machinery both enzymatic and non enzymatic.