Antioxidant potential of the flowers of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Swartz in an in vitro system subjected to oxidative stress

Abstract

Background

Oxidative stress leads to various pathological conditions including cancer. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase represent the cell defense mechanism for preventing oxidative damage. Recently many studies have focused on finding natural antioxidants, especially of plant origin for the treatment of oxidative stress associated diseases. The pharmacological and therapeutic properties of plants are attributed to the ability of antioxidants in them to scavenge free radicals.

Objective

In the present study, goat liver was selected as an in vitro model to determine the antioxidant effects of the three flowers (orange, pink and yellow) of Caesalpinia pulcherrima both in the presence and the absence of a standard oxidant (H₂O₂). The enzymic antioxidants (catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase) and the non-enzymic antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E and reduced glutathione) were analysed.

Results

Treatment with hydrogen peroxide reduced the antioxidant levels in goat liver slices which were improved on co-treatment with the flower extracts, which proved the antioxidant efficacy of the flowers.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that the methanolic extract of the flowers of C. pulcherrima exhibits significant antioxidant activity against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in goat liver model.