Antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect of solvent fractions from Chinese cabbage roots (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis)

In this study, Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) roots were solvent fractioned, and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were investigated. The antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS radicals, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity) was the highest in the ethyl acetate fraction (CREE) at 26.74, 69.81, 253.23, and 54.77 mg TEAC/g, respectively. The inflammatory responses were evaluated in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (1 µg/mL). CREE decreased nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 by 53.37% and 16.30%, respectively. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 were inhibited by 36.85%, 62.99%, and 54.78%, respectively. Furthermore, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and interleukin-6 genes were inhibited by 43.38%, 24.23%, and 80.85%, respectively. The results suggest that CREE is responsible for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.