Protective activity of Hertia cheirifolia extracts against DNA damage,lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation

Context: Hertia cheirifolia L. (Asteraceae), a perennial shrub widely distributed in Northern Africa, is traditionally used to treat inflammatory disorders.

Objective: The protective effect of methanol (Met E) and aqueous (Aq E) extracts of Hertia cheirifolia against DNA, lipid and protein oxidation was investigated.

Materials and methods: Different concentrations (50–1000?μg/mL) of Hertia cheirifolia aerial part extracts were examined against DNA, lipid and protein oxidation induced by H₂O_2?+?UV, FeSO₄, and Fe³⁺/H₂O₂-ascorbic acid, respectively. The DPPH^?, metal ion chelating, reducing power and β-carotene bleaching tests were conducted.

Results: Both extracts were rich in polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins, and were able to scavenge DPPH^? with IC₅₀ values of 138 and 197?μg/mL, respectively. At 300?μg/mL, Aq E exerted stronger chelating effect (99%) than Met E (69%). However, Met E reducing power (IC_50?=_?61?μg/mL) was more than that of Aq E (IC_50?=_?193?μg/mL). Both extracts protected from β-carotene bleaching by 74% and 94%, respectively, and inhibited linoleic acid peroxidation. The inhibitory activity of Aq E extract (64%) was twice more than that of Met E (32%). Interestingly, both extracts protected DNA against the cleavage by about 96–98%. At 1?mg/mL, Met E and Aq E restored protein band intensity by 94–99%.

Conclusions: Hertia cheirifolia exhibits potent antioxidant activity and protects biomolecules against oxidative damage; hence, it may serve as potential source of natural antioxidant for pharmaceutical applications and food preservation. This is the first report on the protective activity of this plant against biomolecule oxidation.