In vitro and in vivo antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts from Platycarya strobilacea infructescence

We determined the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Platycarya strobilacea infructescence (PSI) from various solvent extracts (methanol, ethyl acetate, water and tannin polymers) and quantified the content of total phenolic of each extract. The ethyl acetate extract was found to have the best radical-scavenging activity and ferric reducing power, as well as antimicrobial activity. In order to investigate the protective effect on oxidative stress in vivo, each extract was administered to rats, and the serum, liver and heart were analyzed. The water extract and tannin polymers significantly decreased malonyldialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in serum, liver and heart compared to the control group (P<0.01). Furthermore, super oxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione per oxidase (GSH-Px) activities were increased by administration of all extracts. We concluded that the ethyl acetate extract of PSI has strong antioxidant activity in vitro and possesses antimicrobial activity. These results indicated PSI the potential of medicinal uses and food preservation.