Evaluation of Aitchisonia rosea for oxidative stress and its protective effect on H2O2 induced oxidative damage on DNA and RBCs

Abstract

Abstract Background Aitchisonia rosea Hemsl. ex Aitch (Family Rubiaceae) has been used traditionally for the treatment of different diseases involving oxidation reactions. The current work was carried out to evaluate anti-oxidant potential of various organic fractions and essential oils from Aitchisonia rosea and to study their protective effect on H2O2 induced oxidative damage on pBR322 DNA and RBC cellular membrane. Methodology The in-vitro assays were performed with different concentrations of plant extract, its various fractions and essential oil. The essential oil was isolated, its GCMS analysis was performed and chemical constituents were identified in essential oil. Moreover, DPPH scavenging assay and ferric reducing anti-oxidant power assay was performed. Additionally, the DNA protection assay and RBC cellular membrane protection assay were performed. Results The main components identified by GCMS in essential oil of plant were germacrene (18.43%), carvacrol (12.80%) and linalool (2.67%). The results clearly indicated that methanol extract, ethyl acetate, n-butanol fractions and essential oil exhibited very promising radical scavenging effect and reducing power anti-oxidant activity. They also contained higher contents of phenolic compounds. The protective effect of plant on pBR322 DNA with H2O2 treatment showed that at concentration 1000 μg/ml, it converted the open circular damaged form of pBR322 DNA to super coiled safe form. The plant also protected RBC cellular membrane and thus safe for human use. Conclusion The results proved Aitchisonia rosea to be a valuable anti-oxidant that protects pBR322 DNA and RBC cellular membrane from free radical induced oxidative damage. Furthermore, it could be further develop as powerful and new anti-oxidant.