Antioxidant properties and composition of aqueous extracts from Mentha species, hybrids, varieties, and cultivars

J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Jul 30;51(16):4563-9. doi: 10.1021/jf034108k.

Abstract

Water-soluble extracts from the Mentha species M. aquatica L. and M. haplocalyx Briq., the hybrids M. x dalmatica L. and M. x verticillata L., the varieties M. arvensis var. japanensis [M. arvensis L. var. piperascens Holmes ex Christ] and M. spicata L. var. crispa Benth, and M. x piperita L. "Frantsila", M. "Morocco", and M. "Native Wilmet" cultivars were screened for potential antioxidative properties. These properties included iron(III) reduction, iron(II) chelation, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, and the ability to inhibit iron(III)-ascorbate-catalyzed hydroxyl radical-mediated brain phospholipid peroxidation. Total phenol content and qualitative and quantitative compositional analyses of each extract were also made. The extracts demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy in each assay, with the M. x piperita "Frantsila" extract being better than the other extracts, except for ferrous iron chelation. With the exception of iron chelation, it appeared that the level of activity identified was strongly associated with the phenolic content.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Brain Chemistry
  • Cattle
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry
  • Ferrous Compounds / chemistry
  • Hybridization, Genetic
  • Hydroxyl Radical / chemistry
  • Iron Chelating Agents / chemistry
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Mentha / chemistry*
  • Picrates / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Species Specificity
  • Water

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Ferrous Compounds
  • Iron Chelating Agents
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Water
  • Hydroxyl Radical
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl