Antioxidant properties of scopoletin isolated from Sinomonium acutum

Scopoletin was isolated from Sinomonium acutum and studied using four experimental models designed to assess antioxidant properties. The results indicated that scopoletin scavenged superoxide anion in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase reaction system in a concentration-dependent manner, but did not inhibit xanthine oxidase. Scopoletin may therefore be responsible for the superoxide anion scavenging activity seen in Sinomonium acutum extracts and may be of use in preventing superoxide anion-induced damage in vivo. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.