Antioxidant activities and inhibitory effect of Taraxacum officinale, Cichorium intybus and Lectuca sativa on prooxidant induced lipid peroxidation in mice liver

Sa？etak This study reports the antioxidant and protective properties of three dietary plants, Taraxacum officinale, Cichorium intybus and Lectuca sativa on lipid peroxidation in mice liver. Extracts showed significant (p = 0.0392) inhibition against thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) induced using the pro- oxidants iron (10 μM FeSO4) and sodium nitroprusside (5 μM) in liver homogenates of mice. Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated by the quenching of DPPH radical (p=0.00236). Extracts also showed metal chelating activities (p=0.00143) and high antioxidant activity in phosphomolybdenum assay (p=0.00246). The high content (p=0.000243) of phenolics and flavonoids were detected in aqueous extracts of the plants which may be responsible for antioxidant activities. Taraxacum officinale comparatively showed higher antioxidant activities followed by Cichorium intybus and Lectuca sativa. It is concluded that polyphenolic-rich extracts of studied plants are potential sources of natural antioxidants