EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF MICROMERIA CRISTATA L. EXTRACTS

The diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts that were obtained from aerial parts of Micromeria cristata (Lamiaceae) were tested for their possible antioxidant activity in in vitro and in vivo conditions. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by the ability of the extracts to interact with the stable free radical DPPH and hidroxyl radical and to protect beta-carotenelinoleic acid sistem. The in vivo antioxidant activity was investigated using rats with CCl4-induced liver damage. Specific biochemical parameters (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and total antioxidative status – TAS) and the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were estimated in blood and in liver homogenate. Histopatological examinations of the liver were undertaken to monitor the status of the liver.The results suggest that Micromeria cristata extracts possess antioxidant capacity in both in vitro and in vivo conditions.