Antioxidant activity of Cat's whiskers flavonoid on some reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generating inflammatory cells is mediated by scavenging of free radicals

AIM: To find out the effect of Cat's whiskers (Cleome gynandra L., Capparidaceae) flavonoid (CWF) for the scavenging of free radicals in some inflammatory cells. METHODS: Mouse erythrocyte's hemoglobin, peritoneal macrophage, and peripheral blood lymphocytes were oxidized either by some of toxic chemicals (nitrite, carbon tetrachloride) or by enzymatic stimulation (glucoseoxidase) to produce oxidative damage to cells. The protective effect of the CWF was examined, and the biochemical mechanism of action was also investigated in terms of the scavenging of free radicals. RESULTS: CWF (1-20 mu g.m.L-1) decreased glucoseoxidase and nitrite induce oxidative damage in a concentration dependent manner in an in vitro model and inhibited the lysis of RBC [(28.64 +/- 13.03)% and (70.31 +/- 1.80)%] when mice were treated with CWF (25 and 50 mg.kg(-1)). To assess the antioxidant potential of CWF in the lymphocytes and macrophages in living animals, the effect of CWF was measured on the elevated level of superoxide anions production in the cells. CWF scavenged the superoxide anion (O-2(-)) production and inhibited the O-2(-) induced destruction of protein and lipid biomolecules. CONCLUSION: The study has established that the CWF mediates its antioxidant activity in some chronic inflammatory cells via its free radical scavenging activity.