Interaction of Vimang (Mangifera indica L. extract) with Fe(III) improves its antioxidant and cytoprotecting activity.

A standard aqueous stem bark extract from selected species of Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae)--Vimang, whose major polyphenolic component is mangiferin, displays potent in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity. The present study provides evidence that the Vimang-Fe(III) mixture is more effective at scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radicals, as well as in protecting against t-butyl hydroperoxide-induced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced hepatocytes injury, compared to Vimang alone.

Fe(III) improves antioxidant and cytoprotecting activities of mangiferin.

Iron-induced oxidative stress has been implicated in several pathological processes. In the present work we provide evidence for the formation of a mangiferin:Fe(III) complex (2:1), shown by means of either iron-induced changes in the UV/visible spectrum of mangiferin or by reduction of the anodic current peak in the voltammogram of that compound; we demonstrate, in addition, that the ferric complex is more effective than mangiferin itself in scavenging superoxide radicals generated by pyrogallol autoxidation, as well as in protecting hepatocytes from reactive oxygen species mediated hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Moreover, we found that the mangiferin:Fe(III) complex reacts more readily with horseradish peroxidase/H(2)O(2) than does mangiferin by itself.