Evaluation of antioxidant capacity of Allium ursinum L. volatile oil and its effect on membrane fluidity

Abstract

A total of 20 components were identified in Allium ursinum volatile oil (AUVO) by GC-MS, and 10 of them are found for the first time in this plant species. The antioxidant capacity of AUVO was examined by β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching, lipid peroxidation by Fenton reaction, EPR spin-probing assay using stable nitroxide radicals, DPPH{radical dot}, and ABTS{radical dot}+ scavenging assays. Reaction mechanism of the volatile oil components with nitroxide radicals, based on IR spectra analysis, is proposed. AUVO demonstrated poor scavenging ability against DPPH{radical dot} and ABTS{radical dot}+ comparing to synthetic antioxidants BHT and trolox, while in β-carotene-linoleic acid system AUVO showed an effect comparable to those for BHT. AUVO was also capable to scavenge stable nitroxide radicals such as water-soluble Tempone, and 7-DS and 12-DS, incorporated into the liposome membrane. Finally, AUVO increased membrane fluidity, which could be an important feature for further in vivo investigation of some disorders, such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.