Inhibitory property of Piper betel extract against photosensitization-induced damages to lipids and proteins

The protective activity of Piper betel ethanolic extract (PE) against the photosensitization-induced damage to lipids and proteins of rat liver mitochondria has been studied. PE could effectively prevent lipid peroxidation, as assessed by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxide and conjugated diene. In addition, it prevented photo-induced oxidation of proteins in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, its preventive capacity against iron-mediated lipid peroxidation was also confirmed. The protective activity of PE could be attributed to its free radical and singlet oxygen scavenging properties. The activity of PE was primarily due to its phenolic constituents, which were identified as chavibetol and 4-allylpyrocatechol.