In vitro antioxidant activity and protective effect of Hertia cheirifolia L. n-butanol extract against liver and heart mitochondrial oxidative stress in rat

The current study investigated the protective effect of Hertia cheirifolia L. n-butanol extract on oxidative stress in vitro by measuring lipid peroxidation (MDA) level and superoxide anion (O₂^•-) production in liver and heart mitochondria of rat. In addition, the antioxidant potential of H. cheirifolia n-butanol extract was evaluated by using five methods: ABTS^•+, O₂^•-, Bleaching of β-carotene in linoleic acid, CUPRAC and Ferric reducing power. The results indicated that n-butanol extract contained large amounts of total phenolics (203.52±1.81 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (104.86±0.57 mg QE/g), and had an interesting antioxidant activity and protective effect on mitochondrial oxidative stress. Therefore, H. cheirifolia n-butanol extract may serve as potential source of natural antioxidant for pharmaceutical applications.