Antioxidant activity of Peumus boldus extract and alkaloid boldine against damage induced by Fe(II)-citrate in rat liver mitochondria in vitro

Peumus boldus is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of liver diseases. Chronic liver disease can be associated with oxidative stress and iron overload. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of P. boldus leaf extract and boldine against Fe2+-citrate induced mitochondrial oxidative damage systems. P. boldus was more efficient antioxidant than boldine, when mitochondria were used (hepatic mitochondrial swelling, DFCH oxidation and lipid peroxidation). P. boldus (100 mu g/mL) inhibited Fenton reaction by 94% and chelated about 70% of Fe2+. Boldine (3.27 mu g/mL) exhibited a higher reducing power (447%) and scavenged more efficiently DPPH center dot than P. boldus 100 mu g/mL (44.7% vs 60.7%, respectively). The antioxidant effects of P. boldus extract (PbE) can be attributed to its polyphenolic compounds, determined by HPLC. Thus PbE and boldine can have synergic antioxidant properties and contribute to the protective effect of P. boldus against liver diseases associated with oxidative stress and free iron. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.