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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Rubus ulmifolius Schott (wild blackberry) from Rosaceae and Trifolium angustifolium L. (narrowleaf crimson clover) from Fabaceae are widespread medicinal plants from Portuguese wild flora.
These species are common in the Iberian Peninsula, growing spontaneously under conditions of
Mediterranean climate and being commonly used in folk medicine[1 ]. 1n Portugal, local consumers
consider that the decoctions of R. ulmifolius have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and
may be administered orally for the treatment of diabetes, diarrhea, and menopause[2]. They
are also externally applied to relieve hoarseness, inflamed gums, sores and skin ulcers [2]. T.
angustifoliumis a species known for centuries in folk medicine due to its phytochemical
characteristics and biological activity. The decoction of its inflorescencesis used to treat stomach
affections and to control diarrhea[3].This work aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of
methanolic extracts and decoctions of R. ulmifolius flower buds and T.
angustifolium inflorescences. Four in vitro assays were performed: scavenging effects on DPPH
(2,2-diphenyl-1 -picrylhydrazyl) radicals, reducing power, inhibition of ~ -carotene bleaching and
inhibition of lipid peroxidation in brain cell homogenates by TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive
substances) assay. Methanolic extracts proved to have higher antioxidant activity than the
corresponding decoctions. R. ulmifolius revealed the highest antioxidant activity in all the assays
(EC50:5 70j..lg/ml for the methanolic extract and EC50:5 200j..lg/ml for the decoction). The studied
medicinal plants have interesting antioxidant properties that are certainly related to the presence
of phenolic compounds (reported in another abstract present to this symposium) and could be
explored as a source of antioxidants for food preservation or pharmaceutical uses.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Martins, Ana; Barros, Lillian; Fernandes, Ângela; Carvalho, Ana Maria; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R. (2013). Antioxidant activity of Rubus ulmifolius Schott and Trifolium angustifolium L. In 1st Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry. Braga