Variation in phenolic compounds of Ugni molinae populations and their potential use as antioxidant supplement

In the present work we carried out a comparative study of total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity of aqueous leaf extracts of Ugni molinae Turcz., Myrtaceae (infusion and Soxhlet extracted) prepared from continent and Juan Fernández Island samples. The results revealed that total phenol content (TPC), tannins (TTC) and flavonoids (TFC) for U. molinae extracts (infusion and Soxhlet extracts) from island leaves were 38.5, 56.7 and 37.5% higher than those obtained with leaves from the continent, respectively. Also, HPLC profiles showed important differences between U. molinae populations. In vitro antioxidant capacity (scavenging of DPPH radical) for 1% infusion and aqueous extract (Soxhlet method) of U. molinae from island samples, was 15% greater than from continent samples. Further, in vivo impact of U. molinae intake (1% infusion) was studied in plasma samples obtained from healthy volunteers. Participants that consumed tea prepared with leaves from island population showed higher TBARS reduction and plasma antioxidant capacity (TEAC-CUPRAC) than those who consumed tea prepared with leaves from continental population. The conditions of the territory in which U. molinae populations growth could explain the differences in their composition and activity. According to results, island U. molinae populations could be an important source of study for the development of an antioxidant supplement, and thereby contribute to the use of this species that has becoming an ecological problem in the island.

Decreased Plasma Antioxidants Level in Patients with Dementia of Alzheimer's Type / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have suggested that oxidative injuries to the neuron may have important role in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of dementia of Alzheimer's type. In the present study, we evaluate the plasma levels of albumin, total bilirubin, and uric acid in the patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type, and compare to those of the healthy controls. METHODS: The plasma albumin, bilirubin, and uric acid levels were measured by standard methods in 102 patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type (male 42, female 60) and 99 healthy controls (male 47, felmale 52). The Korean version of Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE-K) was used to evaluate the cognitive functions of patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type. RESULTS: The plasma albumin (F=36.179, p<0.001), bilirubin (F=101.508, p<0.001), uric acid (F=12.688, p<0.001) levels in the patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type were significantly lower than those of the healthy controls. The scores of MMSE-K were positively correlated with the plasma albumin level in the patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type after adjusted for covariates such as age, gender, and body mass index (p=0.017). CONCLUSION: This study supported that oxidative injuries might be involved in the pathogenesis of dementia of Alzheimer's type, as well as suggested that some antioxidant might be associated with the cognitive functions in dementia of Alzheimer's type.