Cell-based and chemical assays of the ability to modulate the production of intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species of eleven Mediterranean plant species related to ethnobotanic traditions.

The aim of this study was to compare three tests for the evaluation of the antioxidant potential of eleven plant species traditionally used to cure or to enhance animal and/or human wellbeing. In addition to the ability to modulate the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species the effect of the treatment on cell viability was also considered. In the cell-based experiment DCF (2?,7?dichlorofluorescein diacetate) and in the chemical assays DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2?-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt), Pistacia lentiscus exhibited high antioxidant capacity, while Cistus creticus and Euphorbia characias were ineffective in cell-culture and displayed high activity in the chemical assays, and others (Malva sylvestris, Matricaria chamomilla, Urtica dioica) showed an opposite trend. Olea europaea (sylvestris and europaea) and Umbilicus rupestris displayed highest antioxidant efficacy in both HUVEC and HL-60 cells, and provided also appreciable activity in the chemical assays. The study gives evidence that herbal extracts may have similar antioxidant properties but different effects on cells. Therefore, it is important to combine analytical and biological testing methods in order to measure the antioxidant capacity of natural extracts. Results encourage to explore further the potential nutraceutical and functional properties of Mediterranean plant species related to ethno-botanic traditions for animal health care.