In Vitro Antioxidant Effect of the Total Flavones of Citrus Aurantium L. var Daidai Tanaka Fruits

OBJECTIVE To study the antioxidant effects of the total flavones of Citrus aurantium L. var daidai Tanaka fruits(TFEFD) in vitro. METHODS The scavenging effect of ·OH and DPPH· as well as the inhibitory effect of lipid peroxidation in mouse liver were measured by the salicylic acid, DPPH·, and thiobarbituric acid methods. RESULTS TFEFD could scavenge DPPH· and ·OH(IC₅₀ 0.417 mg·mL^-1 and 3.087 mg·mL^-1, respectively). It also significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation in mouse liver. There was a positive dose-effect relationship between the scavenging activity and the concentrations of TFEFD. CONCLUSION TFEFD has the capability to scavenge radicals and serve as one of the active natural antioxidants.