Title: Rhizome extracts of elite Zingiber species as potential free radical scavengers and radioprotectors

Biography:

Moirangthem Medhapati Devi has recently submitted her PhD thesis in Manipur University, Imphal, India. She was awarded INSPIRE Fellow by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and she has worked as Project Fellow in Redox Biology at Centre of Advanced Studies in Life Sciences, Manipur University. Currently, she is working as Assistant Professor in D M College of Science, Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, India.

Abstract

Fresh rhizome extracts of four elite Zingiber species, viz., Zingiber kangleipakense, Zingiber montanum, Zingiber officinale and Zingiber zerumbet prepared in aqueous ethanol/methanol were used for their comparative free radical scavenging and radioprotective properties. Various methods such as ferric ion reducing power assay, DPPH ion scavenging assay, nitric oxide scavenging assay, metal chelating assay, thiyl free radical reactivity assay and hydroxyl ion scavenging assay were employed for the free radical scavenging capabilities. Antioxidant components such as total phenol content, flavonoid content and ascorbic acid contents were also assessed. The two plant samples, viz., Z. officinale and Z. kangleipakense were selected for radioprotective assays both for in vitro and in vivo using plasmid pBR322DNA and bone marrow cells of albino rats, respectively. Reduction in the open circular form as well as chromosomal aberrations with application of plant extracts as compared to control group confirmed the radioprotective potentials. The results show that the extracts possess potential antioxidant molecules having capacities to scavenge and counteract radiation-induced free radical species largely through physico-chemical vis-à-vis biochemical pathways. The accessibility of these extracts in radiation countermeasures do provide immense nutraceutical potentials.