Antioxidant and Prooxidant Activities in Aqueous Extracts of Argentine Plants

Abstract

The antioxidant and prooxidant activities of lyophilized aqueous extracts of 19 Argentine plants were studied using the hydroperoxide-initiated chemiluminescence assay in liver homogenates. Six extracts were found to have an effective antioxidant activity in the range 10–1000 µg dry weight/ml and were further evaluated using the thiobarbituric acid assay (TBARS). Acanthospermum australe, Baccharis coridifolia and B. crispa showed the higher antioxidant activity with both assay systems. Eleven extracts showed antioxidant activity when added in higher amounts and prooxidant activity at lower amounts. Two extracts, from Baccharis grisebachii and Terminalia triflora exhibited prooxidant activity in the 10–1000 µg range.