The antioxidant activity of polyphenolic fraction of Thymus daenensis Celak.

Abstract

Damage to cell and tissues by oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is one of the most important risk factors of many diseases such as atherosclerosis, roumatoid arthritis and cancer. Oxidation occurs due to increase of oxidant agents such as free radicals or decrease of antioxidants. Thymus daenensis Celak. is a herbaceous wild medicinal plant endemic to Iran. In the course of screening for antioxidant properties of Iranian medicinal plants, the antioxidant activity of polyphenolic fraction of T. daenensis with different concentration on rat's hepatocyte membrane was investigated. The activity was shown by the measurement of formation of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and leakage values of SGOT and LDH. The results indicate that the concentration of 0.05 mg/ml of polyphenolic fraction of T. daenensis has significant antioxidant activities and decreaseses the formation of MDA and release of SGOT and LDH from damaged hepatocytes in the amount of 15.3%, 37% and 20.7% respectively.