The scavenging effect of plant polyphenolics on superoxide radicals.
Luo GuangHua, Wang AiGuo
Author Affiliation: South China Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica, Guangzhou 510650, China.
Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Botany 2 : 95-99
Abstract : A non-enzymic scavenger for superoxide radicals (O2-) was found in the leaves of mango, guava and pine (Pinus massoniana) and in green tea. The equivalent scavenging capacity for one unit of SOD activity in these plants was 0.5-1.0 mg FW, or 0.29 mg dry tea. Heat treatment did not reduce the scavenging effect. PAGE indicated that phenolic compounds were important components of the scavenging effect. Some synthetic phenolics (guaiacol, propyl gallate, p-nitrophenol) could also scavenge O2- in vitro.