Antioxidant activity of stilbene glycoside from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb in vivo

Stilbene glycosides were isolated from the ethanol extract of the roots of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. Two samples were obtained; a fraction separated by macroporous resin and pure crystals of 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene 2-O-β-glucopyranoside. The antioxidant activities of these two samples were evaluated using antioxidant tests of rats in vivo. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of the serum and the organs (liver, heart and brain of rats) of d-galactose induced senile rats which were fed with stilbene glycoside, were increased; however, the content of 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) was decreased. It is concluded that the stilbene glycoside from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb possesses high in vivo antioxidant activity.