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Planta Med 2003; 69(5): 472-474
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-39698
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Antioxidant Activity of Maslinic Acid, a Triterpene Derivative Obtained from Olea europaea

M. Pilar Montilla1 , Ahmad Agil2 , M. Concepción Navarro1 , M. Isabel Jiménez1 , Andrés García-Granados3 , Andrés Parra3 , M. Matilde Cabo1
  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Spain
  • 2Department of Pharmacology & Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain
  • 3Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
Further Information

Publication History

Received: September 12, 2002

Accepted: December 7, 2002

Publication Date:
12 June 2003 (online)

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Abstract

We investigated the effect of maslinic acid (a triterpene derivative obtained from olive pomace), on the susceptibility of plasma or hepatocyte membranes to lipid peroxidation (LPO), induced respectively by the hydroxyl radical (OH.) generated by Fe2+/H2O2 ex vivo and by the system Fe3+/ascorbate in vitro; moreover, three groups of animals used in the plasma study were pretreated with CCl4 (to generate CCl3 -.). Endogenous plasma lipoperoxide levels and susceptibility to LPO were decreased in rats treated with maslinic acid, after exposure to OH. by Fe2+/H2O2 (Fenton reaction). Co-incubation with maslinic acid prevented hepatocyte membrane LPO as shown by the reduction of TBARS. In conclusion, maslinic acid may offer some advantages in the resistance of oxidative stress in the animals.

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Dra. M. Pilar Montilla

Department of Pharmacology

Faculty of Pharmacy

University of Granada

18071 Granada

Spain

Fax: +34-958-248964