진달래 꽃 추출물의 항산화 및 항유전독성 활성

The present study describes the preliminary evaluation of antioxidant activities and antigenotoxic effect of Rhododendron mucromulatum Turcz. flowers (RMF). The samples were prepared by extracting RMF with four different solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and water), and antioxidant properties were evaluated by determining total phenolic contents (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA), and reducing power (RP). Water extract showed the highest total phenol content (328.1 ㎎/g gallic acid equivalents). Acetone extract showed the most potent RSA and RP. The IC 50 for RSA and RP in the acetone extract were 78 ㎎/mL and 454 ㎎/mL, respectively. The 200 mM H₂O₂induced DNA damage, measured by Comet assay, was inhibited with water, methanol and acetone extract in dose dependent manner in human leukocytes. The inhibition rates were 42, 62, and 52% at the concentrations of 50 ㎎/mL of water, methanol and acetone extracts, respectively. These results suggest that R. mucromulatum Turcz. has significant antioxidative activity and protective effect against oxidative DNA damage.