DNA damage protecting activity and antioxidant potential of pudina extract

Pudina extract (Mentha spicata Linn.) used as flavoring in culinary preparation throughout the plains of India was examined for its DNA damage protecting activity and antioxidant potential. n-Butanol soluble fraction (PE) derived from methanol extract of Mentha spicata Linn. at 10 mu g/ml exhibited significant protecting activity against DNA strand scission by (OH)-O-. on pBluescript 11 SK(-) DNA. IC50 concentration of PE to scavenge DPPH., ABTS(.+) and superoxide radical was 7.47, 4.05 and 57.80 mu g/ml, respectively. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation induced with 25 mM FeSO4 On rat liver homogenate as lipid source was noted at 500 mu g/ml of PE with Antioxidant Index of 63.43%. Total polyphenol content of one-milligram pudina extract was equivalent to 500 mu g of gallic acid. Therefore, this potential bioactivity of pudina extract was associated with its high polyphenolic content. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.