Extracts of Tsarm Yung Chung Tsao which Exhibit Remarkably Antioxidative and Free-Radical Scavenging Activities

Author: Hsiao-Li Chuang(Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica),Xiang-Ling Lee(Applied Algaelogical Institute in Suzhou),Tan-Chi Huang(Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica)

Vol.&No.：Vol. 48, No. 1
Date：December 2003
Pages：13-24
DOI：10.6301/JNTNU.2003.48.02

Abstract：

The Chinese herbal medicine〝Yung Chung Tsao〞is formed in nature when a species of lepidopteran pupae is infected with Cordyceps militaris. Since wild Yung Chung Tsao is rare and difficult to collect, we have developed a method of cultivating a similar product by inoculating the silkworm pupae with Cordyceps militaris LS901; we name this product〝Tsarm Yung Chung Tsao.〞 The antioxidative activities and other related properties of extracts (including hot water, a 40% alcohol solution and 100% alcohol solution) taken from the new product were investigated. Results indicated that the antioxidative action against lipid peroxidation and the scavenging action of the DPPH free radical were just as efficient and effective as when the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is used. The chelating capacity of Fe2+ was as good as that of the synthetic metal chelater EDTA. As for the reducing actions of the extracts of Tsarm Yung Chung Tsao and BHT as indicated by the formation of Prussian blue, extracts of optimum concentration displayed relative activity at 80% to 90% of BHT.

Keywords：antioxidative activity, chelating capacity, free radical, reducing action, Yung Chung Tsao

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