Antioxidant activity of Curculigoside, a phenolic glucoside from Curculigo orchioides Gaertn

Abstract

Background: Curculigoside is phenolic glucoside derived from the plant Curculigo orchioides Gaertn, a well known immune stimulatory and rejuvenating tuberous plant. A systematic analysis of the antioxidant potential of curculigoside is not reported as far. Methods: In the present study antioxidant activity of curculigoside was evaluated both in the in vivo and in vitro models. Tube test were performed to analyse 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), super oxide (Nitro blue tetrazolium reduction) and hydroxyl radical (Fenton reaction) scavenging effects. Besides, effect of the compound on lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide scavenging was also tested. In vivo antioxidant activity was checked by PMA (Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate) induced superoxide radical formation by mouse peritoneal macrophages. Result: Curculigoside was found to scavenge the hydroxyl radicals generated by Fenton reaction and also inhibited the in vitro lipid peroxidation. The compound was also found to be an effective scavenger of superoxide, DPPH and nitric oxide (NO) radicals. Curculigoside showed a significant scavenging effect on the NO release by cultured macrophages. Besides, oral administration of curculigoside inhibited superoxide generation in macrophages in vivo . Conclusion: Curculigoside was found to exhibit good free radical scavenging effects which is comparable to known standards, both in the in vitro as well as in vivo systems.