Introduction
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production is an inevitable phenomenon associated with aerobic metabolism; however, exposure to several exogenous sources of oxidant molecules can increase ROS production. Reactive oxygen species participate in different cellular processes at a relatively low level but are extremely harmful to organisms at high concentrations. A cell is said to be in a state of Oxidative Stress (OS) when the concentration of ROS overwhelms the body’s antioxidant system. This state can be detrimental to the body system as it can destroy major body biomolecules (protein, lipid, and nucleic acid), triggers enzyme inhibition, and commit cell suicide [
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8]. Substances capable of inhibiting this detrimental effect are called antioxidants. One of the mechanisms through which antioxidants fulfill their duties is donating electrons to stabilize ROS [
9]. Antioxidants can be classified as endogenous (natural) and exogenous (synthetic) [
10]. The possible carcinogenic effects of synthetic antioxidants have drawn the attention of researchers toward natural antioxidants [
11,
12,
13]. Over the years, plants have been established as a good source of exogenous antioxidants, with two-thirds of the world’s plant species proven to have potential antioxidant agents [
14]. The interest in the exogenous plant antioxidants was first evoked by discovering and subsequent isolation of ascorbic acids from plants [
15]. Phytochemicals characterized by antioxidant activity remove free radicals and inhibit oxidative reactions by oxidizing [
16]. These antioxidants are polyphenolic compounds found in all plants and their parts (tree bark, stalks, leaves, fruits, roots, flowers, pods, and seeds) [
17]. Among the plants’ antioxidants are ascorbic acid (vitamin C), tocopherol (vitamin E), carotene (vitamin A), polyphenol metabolites [
18], and microelements such as Se, Zn, Mn, and Cu [
19]. In recent years, interest has grown in using natural antioxidants to prevent or treat different diseases resulting from OS [
20,
21].
Moringa oleifera is the most cultivated plant in the Moringaceae family. It is cultivated chiefly for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The plant is native to tropical, subtropical, and semi-arid climates, where it naturally grows [
22]. It is commonly called the “tree of life” due to its numerous nutritious, medicinal, and industrial benefits [
23,
24]. The plant is becoming increasingly more appreciated worldwide, as almost every part of the tree (pods, seeds, leaves, barks, roots, flowers) can be used for medicinal purposes [
25,
26]. These therapeutic properties are generally attributed to the rich phytochemical composition of Moringa oleifera. Phytochemicals such as vanillin, phenolic acids flavonoids, carotenoids, ascorbates, tocopherols, β-sitosterol, kaempferol, moringin, omega fatty acids, alkaloids, volatile oil, saponin, phenol, tannin, and flavonoid have been reported to be found in its different parts [
22,
27]. Moringa oleifera is a good source of antioxidants [
27,
28,
29].
Cocos nucifera l., popularly called coconut tree, is a perennial monocot tree belonging to the Arecaceae family. The tree, native to southeast Asia and Melanesia, is distributed throughout the tropics and sub-tropics of the world [
30]. Its uses range from domestic to therapeutic [
31]. However, the therapeutic properties are a function of the various phytochemicals present in the plant [
31]. Dyana and Kanchana [
32] found tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, carbohydrates, amino acids, and phytosterols in the various Cocos nucifera extracts. The presence of polyphenolic compounds in the plant suggests its antioxidant properties.
So far, there is no information regarding the comparative study of the antioxidant potential of these plants. Therefore, this research compares the antioxidant potential of the aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera and the aqueous husk extract of Cocos nucifera.
Materials and Methods
Chemicals and reagents
Tris-HCl, sodium hydroxide, iron (II) sulfate, 1,10-phenanthione, Folin-Ciocalteu, methanol, sodium bicarbonate Tripyridyl Triazine (TPTZ), sodium acetate, iron (III) chloride, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were prepared from Sigma Aldrich Chemic. Co. (GmbH Germany).
Plants
Fresh Moringa oleifera and Cocos nucifera plants were obtained at Aroje, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, and identified at the Department of Biology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. The plants’ herbarium numbers are LHO 579 and LHO 580, respectively.
The leaves of Moringa oleifera were air-dried and soaked (1 g/20 mL) in distilled water for 24 h; it was then sieved to obtain the aqueous extract. Similarly, the husk of Cocos nucifera was air-dried, ground, and soaked (1 g/20 mL) for 24 h, after which it was sieved to obtain the aqueous extract.
Methodology
Iron-chelating ability
The iron-chelating ability of the extracts was determined according to the modified method of Minotti and Aust [
33]. About 0.7 mL of Tris-HCl was added to 100 μL of the extract. Then, 0.9 mL of 0.9% saline was added to the mixture. Next, 0.06 mL of iron (ii) sulfate was added and then incubated for five minutes at room temperature. Afterward, 2 drops of 0.25% 1,10-phenanthroline were added, and the absorbance rate was measured at 510 nm.
Iron-chelating ability (%) =
DPPH scavenging antioxidant activity
The antioxidant activity of the extract against DPPH was determined using the modified method of Gyamfi et al. [
34]. About 1 mL of 0.2 mM 70% methanol solution of DPPH (Sigma Aldrich) was added to 1 mL of the extract and left for 30 min at room temperature in the dark. The absorbance of the resulting yellow-colored solution was read at 517 nm. The control was carried out using 2 mL DPPH solution without the test samples. The DPPH free radical scavenging ability was subsequently calculated.
DPPH scavenging ability (%) =
Determination of total phenolic contents
The total phenolic concentration of the samples was estimated spectrophotometrically according to the method of Singleton et al. [
35]. About 100 μL of the extract was added to 0.4 mL of 7.5% sodium carbonate. Then, 0.5 mL of dilute 10% Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was added to the solution, and the absorbance of the resulting blue-colored solution was read after 30 min of incubation at 680 nm.
Determination of Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP)
The Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) was determined according to the Oyaizu method [
36]. About 1.5 mL of distilled water was added to 0.5 mL of the extract. Next, 0.8 mL of prepared FRAP reagent (a mixture of tripyridyl triazine, iron (iii) chloride, and sodium acetate) was added to the mixture.
Statistical analysis
Graphical representation was done using Microsoft Excel 2010, while 1-sample t test statistical analysis was done with GraphPad Prism 5.0. Differences between means were determined at a P<0.05.
Results
As shown in
Figure 1, at all tested concentrations, the aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera and aqueous husk extract of Cocos nucifera exhibit iron-chelating ability with the highest abilities of 47.71% and 40.94% at 125 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL, respectively.
Figure 2 shows a somewhat concentration-dependent increase in ferric reducing antioxidant power of the aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera and husk aqueous extract of Cocos nucifera with the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power observed at 100 µg/mL and 125 µg/mL, respectively.
According to
Figure 3, both aqueous husk extract of Cocos nucifera husk and aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera showed DPPH radical scavenging ability.
While a concentration-dependent increase was observed in aqueous husk extract of Cocos nucifera with the highest DPPH radical scavenging ability of 97.94%, a somewhat concentration-dependent rise was observed in aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera with the highest DPPH radical scavenging ability of 94.14%
As depicted in
Figure 4, a concentration-dependent increase in Total Phenolic Contents (TPCs) is observed in aqueous husk extract of Cocos nucifera, with the highest TPCs of 15.22 mg/g. In comparison, the highest total phenolic contents observed in aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera is 21.36 mg/g (at 100 µg/mL).
Discussion
Recently, interest has grown in using natural antioxidants to prevent or treat different diseases related to oxidative stress [
20]. In this regard, plant-based antioxidants origins are of great interest because they contain significant antioxidant activity [
37]. It is believed that two-thirds of the world’s plant species have medicinal benefits, and almost all have the excellent antioxidant potential [
14]. Thus, plants are a good source of antioxidant supplements that can be of great use in alleviating or preventing diseases resulting from an oxidative imbalance in living creatures.
Figure 1 shows that aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera and aqueous husk extract of Cocos nucifera possess iron-chelating ability at all tested concentrations with Moringa oleifera showing significant increases (P<0.05) at 25, 50, 125 µg/mL and significant decreases (P<0.05) at 75 and 100 µg/mL when compared with Cocos nucifera. The use of iron chelation is a popular therapy for managing Fe2+-associated oxidative stress in the brain. The ability of agents to chelate transition metals, specifically Fe2+, has been considered a defense mechanism of antioxidant agents [
38]. One of the ways antioxidant protects the cells is by reducing/chelating the transition metal composition of foods [
39,
40]. The iron-chelating ability of plants is also an indicator of the neuroprotective property of the plants as iron is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease and other diseases by multiple mechanisms [
38].
Leaf aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera showed significant increases (P<0.05) in FRAP at all tested concentrations when compared to aqueous husk extract of Cocos nucifera (
Figure 2). The ability of the plant extract to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+ is suggested to be a novel antioxidant defense mechanism [
41]. Therefore, this finding confirms that the plants considered are potent antioxidant agents.
The antioxidant activities of these plants were also assessed by their DDPH scavenging ability. As shown in
Figure 3, aqueous husk extract of Cocos nucifera significantly increased (P<0.05) DPPH scavenging ability at all tested concentrations except at 75 µg/mL, where it shows a significant decrease (P<0.05) when compared with aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera. DPPH has been reported to have antioxidants that scavenge free radicals and prevent stress. Due to the antioxidant activity, DPPH fights against chronic diseases caused by oxidative diseases. It prevents degenerative disorders like mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and cardiovascular disturbances [
42]. It also prevents proteins, lipids, and DNA damage [
43].
According to
Figure 4, at all tested concentrations, the aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera shows significant increases (P<0.05) compared with the aqueous husk extract of Cocos nucifera. Phenolics are diverse secondary metabolites (flavonoids, tannins, hydroxycinnamate esters, and lignin), which possess antioxidant properties. Polyphenols contain an aromatic ring with –OH or OCH3 substituents that contribute to their biological activity, including antioxidant action. Polyphenols can chelate transition metal ions, directly scavenge molecular species of active oxygen, and inhibit lipid peroxidation by trapping the lipid alkoxyl radical. They also modify lipid packing order and decrease the fluidity of the membranes [
44]. Phenolics are potent antioxidants and free radical scavengers [
45,
46]. The antioxidant activity of phenolics is mainly due to their redox properties, which allow them to act as reducing agents, hydrogen donors, and singlet oxygen quenchers [
47,
48,
49]. They also protect DNA from oxidative damage, inhibit the growth of tumor cells, and possess anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties [
50].
Conclusion
The results mentioned above confirm that aqueous husk extract of Cocos nucifera and aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera are potent antioxidant agents and could be used in supplementing endogenous antioxidant systems as well as treating diseases caused by oxidative imbalance. The overall antioxidant activities of leaf aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera are more significant than that of aqueous husk extract of Cocos nucifera.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
There were no ethical considerations to be considered in this research.
Funding
This research did not receive any grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors.
Authors' contributions
Designed the work protocol and carried out the analyses: Olalekan Amos Akinyemi; Developed the manuscript and did the statistical analysis: Sunday Faith Oyelere; Oversee the plant identification process: Adeola Folasade Ehigie and Adijat Funke Ogundola; Proofread and edited the manuscript: Titilayo Eunice Ayoade; Approved the final manuscript for submission: All authors.
Conflict of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
We want to thank Dr. Olabinri for her help.
References
- Meriga B, Reddy BK, Rao KR, Reddy LA, Kishor PB. Aluminium-induced production of oxygen radicals, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in seedlings of rice (oryza sativa). J Plant Physiol. 2004; 161(1):63-8. [DOI:10.1078/0176-1617-01156] [PMID]
- Verma S, Dubey RS. Lead toxicity induces lipid peroxidation and alters the activities of antioxidant enzymes in growing rice plants. Plant Science. 2003; 164(4):645–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-9452(03)00022-0
- Shah K, Kumar RG, Verma S, Dubey RS. Effect of cadmium on lipid peroxidation, superoxide anion generation and activities of antioxidant enzymes in growing rice seedlings. Plant Science 2001; 161(6):1135–44. [DOI:10.1016/S0168-9452(01)00517-9]
- Mittler R. Oxidative stress, antioxidants and stress tolerance. Trends Plant Sci. 2002; 7(9):405-10. [DOI:10.1016/s1360-1385(02)02312-9] [PMID]
- Sharma P, Dubey RS. Drought induces oxidative stress and enhances the activities of antioxidant enzymes in growing rice seedlings. Plant Growth Regul. 2005; 46(3):209–21.[DOI:10.1007/s10725-005-0002-2]
- Maheshwari R, Dubey RS. Nickel-induced oxidative stress and the role of antioxidant defence in rice seedlings. Plant Growth Regul. 2009; 59(1):37–49. [DOI:10.1007/s10725-009-9386-8]
- Srivastava S, Dubey RS. Manganese-excess induces oxidative stress, lowers the pool of antioxidants and elevates activities of key antioxidative enzymes in rice seedlings. Plant Growth Regul. 2011; 64(1):1–16.[DOI:10.1007/s10725-010-9526-1]
- Mishra S, Jha AB, Dubey RS. Arsenite treatment induces oxidative stress, upregulates antioxidant system, and causes phytochelatin synthesis in rice seedlings. Protoplasma. 2011; 248(3):565-77. [DOI:10.1007/s00709-010-0210-0] [PMID]
- Uttara B, Singh AV, Zamboni P, Mahajan RT. Oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases: A review of upstream and downstream antioxidant therapeutic options. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2009; 7(1):65-74. [DOI:10.2174/157015909787602823] [PMID] [PMCID]
- Sosa V, Moliné T, Somoza R, Paciucci R, Kondoh H, LLeonart ME. Oxidative stress and cancer: An overview. Ageing Res Rev. 2013; 12(1):376-90. [DOI:10.1016/j.arr.2012.10.004] [PMID]
- Barlow SM. Toxicological aspects of antioxidants used as food additives. In: Hudson BJF, Editor. Food Antioxidants. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 1990.Pp.253-307. [DOI:10.1007/978-94-009-0753-9_7]
- Namiki M. Antioxidants/antimutagens in food. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 1990; 29(4):273-300. [DOI:10.1080/10408399009527528] [PMID]
- Ramalakshmi K, Kubra IR, Rao LJM. Antioxidant potential of low-grade coffee beans. Food Research International. 2008; 41(1):96–103. [DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2007.10.003]
- krishnaiah d, sarbatly r, nithyanandam r. A review of the antioxidant potential of medicinal plant species. Food Bioprod Process. 2011; 89(3):217–33. [DOI:10.1016/j.fbp.2010.04.008]
- Szent-Gyoergyi A. lost in the twentieth century. Annu Rev Biochem. 1963; 32:1-14. [DOI:10.1146/annurev.bi.32.070163.000245] [PMID]
- Yashin A, Yashin Y, Xia X, Nemzer B. Antioxidant activity of spices and their impact on human health: A review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2017; 6(3):70. [DOI:10.3390/antiox6030070][PMID] [PMCID]
- Osawa T, Yoshida S, Yamashida K, Ochi H. Protective role of dietary. In: Cutler RG, Packer L, Bertram J, Mori A, Editors. Oxidative stress and aging. Basel: Birkhauser-Verlag; 1995. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-0348-7337-6
- Yoshida T, Oka S, Masutani H, Nakamura H, Yodoi J. The role of thioredoxin in the aging process: Involvement of oxidative stress. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2003; 5(5):563-70. [DO:10.1089/152308603770310211] [PMID]
- Delgado OL, Betanzos CG, Sumaya MMT. Importancia de los anti-oxidantes dietarios en la disminución del estrés oxidativo. Investigación y Ciencia. 2010; 50(10-15):1665-4412.https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=6088889
- Perera RM, Bardeesy N. Cancer: When antioxidants are bad. Nature. 2011; 475(7354):43-4. [DOI:10.1038/475043a] [PMID]
- Gago-Dominguez M, Jiang X, Castelao JE. Lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress genes and dietary factors in breast cancer protection: A hypothesis. Breast Cancer Res. 2007; 9(1):201. [DOI:10.1186/bcr1628] [PMID] [PMCID]
- Clement A, Olatunde M, Obigwa P, Orijajogun J. Effect of drying temperature on nutritional content of moringa oleifera leave. Int J Food Sci Technol. 2017; 1(3):93-6. [DOI:10.11648/j.wjfst.20170103.11]
- Fuglie LJ. Introduction to the multiple uses of moringa (7-10) In: Fuglie L J (editor). The miracle tree: The multiple attributes of moringa-Wageningen: CTA; Dakar: CWS; 2001. http://www.sciepub.com/reference/323155
- Olson ME. Introduction to Moringa family. In: Fuglie LJ, editor. The miracle tree: the multiple attributes of moringa. Church World Service (CWS): Church World Service, West Africa Regional Office, 2001. https://books.google.com/books?id=V0bEOQAACAAJ&dq=
- Biel W, Jaroszewska A, Łysoń E. Nutritional quality and safety of moringa (moringa oleifera lam, 1785) leaves as an alternative source of protein and minerals. J Elem. 2017; 22(2):569-79. [DOI:10.5601/jelem.2016.21.3.1249]
- Fokwen VF, Tsafack HD, Touko BAH, Djopnang JD, Afeanyi TA, Kong AT, et al. Nutrients composition, phenolic content and antioxidant activity of green and yellow moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves. J Food Stab. 2018; 1(1):46-56. https://www.foodstability.com/abstract/nutrients-composition-phenolic-content-and-antioxidant-activity-of-green-and-yellow-moringa-moringa-oleifera-leaves
- Ayoade ET, Akinyemi AO, Oyelere FS. Phytochemical profile of different morphological organs of moringa oleifera plant. J phytopharm. 2019; 8(6):295-8. [DOI: 10.31254/phyto.2019.8605]
- Lamou B, Taiwe GS, Hamadou A, Abene, Houlray J, Atour MM, et al. Antioxidant and antifatigue properties of the aqueous extract of moringa oleifera in rats subjected to forced swimming endurance test. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016; 2016:3517824. [DOI:10.1155/2016/3517824][PMID] [PMCID]
- Fitriana WD, Ersam T, Shimizu K, Fatmawati S. Antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera extracts. Indones J Chem. 2016; 16(3):297-301. [DOI:10.22146/ijc.21145]
- Elevitch C. Species profiles for Pacific island agroforestry. Permanent Agriculture Resources series. Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. Hawaii: Holualoa; 2006. https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/EW02_001-1.pdf
- Akinyemi OA, Oyelere FS. Phytochemical profile of selected morphological organs of cocos nucifera l. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences 2019; 6(11):54-8. https://www.ejbps.com/ejbps/abstract_id/6168
- Dyana JP, Kanchana G. Preliminary phytochemical screening of Cocos nucifera l. flowers. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research. 2012; 4(3):62-3. https://innovareacademics.in/journal/ijcpr/archives/2012-2/vol-4-issue-3/
- Minotti G, Aust SD. An investigation into the mechanism of citrate-Fe2+-dependent lipid peroxidation. Free Radic Biol Med. 1987; 3(6):379-87. [DOI:10.1016/0891-5849(87)90016-5][PMID]
- Gyamfi MA, Yonamine M, Aniya Y. Free-radical scavenging action of medicinal herbs from Ghana: Thonningia sanguinea on experimentally-induced liver injuries. Gen Pharmacol. 1999; 32(6):661-7. [DOI:10.1016/s0306-3623(98)00238-9] [PMID]
- Singleton VL, Orthofer R, Lamuela-Raventos RM. Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of folin-cioalteau Reagents. Method Enzymol. 1999; 299c(1):152-78. [DOI:10.1016/S0076-6879(99)99017-1]
- Oyaizu M. Studies on products of browning reaction: Antioxidative study of browning reaction prepared from glucosamine. Japan J Nutr Diet. 1986; 44(6):307-15. [DOI:10.5264/eiyogakuzashi.44.307] https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/eiyogakuzashi1941/44/6/44_6_307/_article/-char/en
- Carlsen MH, Halvorsen BL, Holte K, Bøhn SK, Dragland S, Sampson L, et al. The total antioxidant content of more than 3100 foods, beverages, spices, herbs and supplements used worldwide. Nutr J. 2010; 9:3. [DOI:10.1186/1475-2891-9-3] [PMID] [PMCID]
- Alli Smith YR, Aluko BT, Faleye FJ. Antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect of ethanolic extract of ficus exasperata leaves on pro- oxidant induced hepatic and cerebral lipid peroxidation in albino rats in-vitro. International Journal of Herbal Medicine. 2018; 6(3):20-4. https://www.florajournal.com/archives/?year=2018&vol=6&issue=3&part=A&ArticleId=504
- Alía M, Horcajo C, Bravo L, Goya L. Effect of grape antioxidant dietary fiber on the total antioxidant capacity and the activity of liver antioxidant enzymes in rats. Nutr Res. 2003; 23(9):1251-67. [DOI:10.1016/S0271-5317(03)00131-3]
- Seyoum A, Asres K, El-Fiky FK. Structure-radical scavenging activity relationships of flavonoids. Phytochemistry. 2006; 67(18):2058-70. [DOI:10.1016/j.phytochem.2006.07.002] [PMID]
- Allhorn M, Klapyta A, Akerström B. Redox properties of the lipocalin alpha1-microglobulin: Reduction of cytochrome c, hemoglobin, and free iron. Free Radic Biol Med. 2005; 38(5):557-67. [DOI:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2004.12.013] [PMID]
- Airaodion AI, Olatoyinbo PO, Ogbuagu U, Ogbuagu EO, Akinmolayan JD, Adekale OA, et al. Comparative assessment of phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of azadirachta indica and parquetina nigrescens leaves. Asian Plant Res J. 2019; 2(3):1-4. [DOI:10.9734/aprj/2019/v2i330045] https://www.journalaprj.com/index.php/APRJ/article/view/30045
- Airaodion A, Ibrahim A, Ogbuagu U, Ogbuagu E, Awosanya O, Akinmolayan J, et al. Evaluation of phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of ocimum gratissimum and telfairia occidentalis leaves. Asian J Pharm. 2019; 7(1):1-11. [DOI:10.9734/ajrimps/2019/v7i130110]
- Arora A, Byrem TM, Nair MG, Strasburg GM. Modulation of liposomal membrane fluidity by flavonoids and isoflavonoids. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2000; 373(1):102-9. [DOI:10.1006/abbi.1999.1525] [PMID]
- Kähkönen MP, Hopia AI, Vuorela HJ, Rauha JP, Pihlaja K, Kujala TS, et al. Antioxidant activity of plant extracts containing phenolic compounds. J Agric Food Chem. 1999; 47(10):3954-62. [DOI:10.1021/jf990146l] [PMID]
- Sugihara N, Arakawa T, Ohnishi M, Furuno K. Anti- and pro-oxidative effects of flavonoids on metal-induced lipid hydroperoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation in cultured hepatocytes loaded with alpha-linolenic acid. Free Radic Biol Med. 1999; 27(11-12):1313-23. [DOI:10.1016/s0891-5849(99)00167-7] [PMID]
- Rice-Evans CA, Miller NJ, Bolwell PG, Bramley PM, Pridham JB. The relative antioxidant activities of plant-derived polyphenolic flavonoids. Free Radic Res. 1995; 22(4):375-83. [DOI:10.3109/10715769509145649] [PMID]
- Rice-Evans CA, Miller NJ, Paganga G. Structure-antioxidant activity relationships of flavonoids and phenolic acids. Free Radic Biol Med. 1996; 20(7):933-56. [DOI:10.1016/0891-5849(95)02227-9] [PMID]
- Ramarathnam N, Ochi H, Takeuchi M. Antioxidant defense system in vegetable extracts. In: F Shahidi, Editor. Natural antioxidants, chemistry, health effects and applications. Champaign, Illinois: AOCS Press; 1997.p. 76–87. https://books.google.com/books/about/Natural_Antioxidants.html?id=9-aZzJxp8DkC
- Chandra S, Khan S, Avula B, Lata H, Yang MH, Elsohly MA, et al. Assessment of total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant properties, and yield of aeroponically and conventionally grown leafy vegetables and fruit crops: A comparative study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014; 2014:253875. [DOI:10.1155/2014/253875] [PMID] [PMCID]