PHENOLIC CONTENTS, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF Asparagus cochinchinensis (LOUREIRO) MERRILL.

Asparagus cochinchinensis (Loureiro) Merrill. (AC) is used as a traditional medicine for treating inflammation and oxidative stress-related diseases. In this study, aqueous extract of AC tuber was investigated to determine the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Free radical-scavenging activities as well as total phenolics and flavonoid contents of the extracts were measured. As primary screening of anti-inflammatory activity, cell viability and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production were determined using the lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. The levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds from AC were found to be 4591g gallic acid equivalent/g (GAE/g) dry mass and 642 +/- 4g catechin equivalent/g (CE/g) dry mass, respectively. AC showed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, nitrite scavenging and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. Significant NO production and cell viability were also found in the extracts. Results suggest that AC can be a source of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances.