Antioxidant activity of Sorbus sibirica fruit extracts

Sorbus sibirica fruits, popularly consumed as tea, is believed to promote healthy, relieve a cough. The literature reporting pharmacological studies related to Sorbus sibirica is very limited. Thus, The antioxidant activities of extracts from Sorbus sibirica fruits were evaluated using various in vitro assays including total flavonoid contents, total antioxidant activity, reducing power, lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity, scavenging hydroxyl and superoxide anion free radicals activity, and protective effects against DNA and protein damages. We selected the process of ultrasound-assisted extraction for total flavonoids from Sorbus sibirica fruits according to the extraction rate of total flavonoids. Results showed that the content of total flavonoids was 0.82 g per 100 g dry fruits sample obtained with ultrasound-assisted extraction method. The extracts exhibited strong scavenging capability with respect to hydroxyl and superoxide anion free radicals, and effectively inhibited the lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. They also had good reducing power and protection against DNA and protein damage. Therefore, they might offer an important source of effective natural antioxidants in the food and cosmetic industries. ? (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.