|
Z. Naturforsch.
69c, 425 – 433
(2015)
doi:10.5560/ZNC.2014-0098
Radical Scavenging and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Halophyte Spergularia marina Griseb.
1 Department of Organic Material Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
2 Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Medical and Life Science, Silla University, Busan 617-736, Republic of Korea. Fax: +82-51-999-5457. E-mail:
cskong@silla.ac.kr
3 Marine Biotechnology Center for Pharmaceuticals and Foods, Silla University, Busan 617-736, Republic of Korea
*Author for correspondence and reprint requests
Received May 20 / December 5, 2014 / published online January 14, 2015
As a part of ongoing research to develop antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals, an ethanolic extract of Spergularia marina Griseb. was tested for its ability to scavenge radicals and suppress inflammation. The extract was able to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl, and superoxide radicals, respectively, in cell-free environments as well as intracellular radicals in H2O2-stimulated mouse macrophages. Inflammation in mouse macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharides was suppressed by S. marina according to the measurement of nitric oxide generation and expression of inflammatory cytokines, i.e. tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. The anti-inflammatory effect of S. marina was substantiated by the finding that the expression of the inflammatory
modulators, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was significantly decreased. The chemical composition of S. marina was evaluated by FT-IR analysis of the extract indicating the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids. In conclusion, S. marina is suggested as a novel source for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.
Key words: Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Free Radical Scavenger, Spergularia marina Griseb.