THE ANTI-OXIDANT ACTIVITY OF TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA)

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ABSTRACT

Turmeric antioxidant protein had been isolated from the aq. extract of turmeric.

The antioxidant principle was found to be a heat stable protein.

The antioxidant protein showed a concentration – dependent inhibitory activity on the promoter induced lipid peroxidation.

The protection of Ca2+ - ATPase activity was found to be associated with the prevention of loss of –SH groups.

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KEYWORDS

TURMERIC ANTI-OXIDANT PROTEIN LIPID PEROXIDATION THIOLS

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INTRODUCTION

Several processes are involved in the adaptation of organisms to environment.

Mainly used for defence against free radicals. Peroxidation of unsaturated lipids has been used in wide

range of diseases. Turmeric (curcuma longa ),one of the major species

used as potent anti-oxidant. The aqueous and alcoholic extract of turmeric have

been shown to be anti-oxidant.

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ANTIOXIDANTS

Levamisole Butylated hydroxy toulene Santoquin Butylated hydroxy anisole

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MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fresh cod liver oil supplied as seven seas by Universal Generics Pvt. Ltd. and male Wistar rat brain 10% homogenate in Tris HCl buffer (0.01M) were used as substrates.

Preparation of turmeric extract- Powdered drug(1.5gm.) dissolved in 75 ml of boiling distilled water, centrifuged and supernatnt was selected.

Isolation of turmeric antioxidant protein (TAP)- aqueous extract was concentrated ,insoluble material was centrifuged. One fifth extract containing 15 mg proteins was loaded on a SEPHADEX-G-200 column.

The protein was simultaneously assayed. Further assay of liquid peroxidation using brain tissue

and cod liver oil. Assay Ca2+ ATP ase activity. Determination of total sulphahydryl content.

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SEPRATION OF TAP ON SEPHADEX-G-200 COLUMNONE ANTIOXIDENT UNIT = 50% INHIBITION OF LIPID PEROXIDATION IN PRESENCE OF TAP

S:NO. PARTIC-ULARS

VOL. (ml)

ACTIVITY (antioxidant activity in units/ml)

TOTAL UNITS

PROTIEN (mg/ml)

SPECIFIC ACTIVITY

% YIELD

1. Aqueous extract

75 12.12 909 1.4 8.66 100.00

2. Concentr-ate

10 78.80 788 8.75 9.0 86.68

3. Sephadex-G-200 column effluent

6 6.6 39.8 0.42 16.47 21.99

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RESULTS

The antioxidant principal was found to be heat stable and no loss of activity during extraction.

Inhibition of lipid peroxidation by TAP- TAP had concentration dependent inhibitory effect. 50% inhibitory activity at protein conc. of 50µg/ml, 50% inhibitory effect on ascorbate Fe2+/TBH- induced systems in rat brain at conc. 100 µg/ml.

Influence of TAP Ca2+ - ATPase activity in rat brain homogenate- The activity was found to decreased by 40% with increase in TBARS release.

Effect of TAP on sulphahydryl content depletion- In presence of TAP 38% of depletion was seen after 60 min. as compared to 45% in absence of TAP.

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EFFECT OF TAP ON NON-ENZYMATIC LIPID PEROXIDATION OF COD LIVER OILvalues are mean±S.D. of 6 determanation expressed as nmoles TBARS released/50 mg oil in 30 min.

S.NO.

PARTICULARS WITHOUT TAP

WITH TAP % INHIBITION

1. Oil 10.63±1.76

6.38±0.92 40.00

2. Oil+1 mM Fe2+ 21.25±2.45

15.75±1.37

25.88

3. Oil+1 mM Ascorbate- Fe2+

15.00±2.04

10.88±1.02

27.50

4. Oil+1 mM TBH 34.95±3.42

19.47±2.13

44.29

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DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The antioxidant principal is protein in nature by its maximal absorbance at 280nm. and loss of its antioxidant property on trypsin treatment.

TAP prevents Ca2+ - ATPase from inactivation in the presence of promoters of lipid peroxidtion or thiol reagents.

TAP prevents cellular –SH depletion during peroxidation. Consumption of high concentration of turmeric reported to

be non-toxic as compared to the other dietary antioxidants like levamisole, butylated hydroxy anisole and santoquin which are known to enhance cellular and humoral immunity with age.

Presence of a heat stable antiioxidant protein in the aqueous extract of turmeric is highly significant in relevance to its dietary consumption.

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