DNA Damage Protecting Activity and Antioxidant Potential of Leaves Extract.

Background: The leaf extract of commonly known as African Lettuce is used locally to treat dyslipidemia and liver diseases, which are associated with oxidative stress. Methanol extract from leaves was tested for its antioxidant activity and its ability to protect DNA from oxidative damage.

Materials And Methods: antioxidant potential of the leaf extract was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO), and hydroxyl (OH) radical scavenging assays. Ferric reducing power, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), metal chelating, and anti-lipid peroxidation ability of the extract were also examined using gallic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as standards.

Results: leaves extract showed antioxidant activity with IC values of 16.18 μg/ml (DPPH), 123.3 μg/ml (NO), 128.2 μg/ml (OH radical), 97.94 μg/ml (metal chelating), 80.28 μg/ml (TAC), and 23 μg/ml (anti-lipid peroxidation activity). leaves extract exhibited a strong capability for DNA damage protection at 20 mg/ml concentration.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the methanolic leaf extract of could be used as a natural antioxidant and also as a preventive therapy against diseases such as arteriosclerosis associated with DNA damage.