Antioxidant property of an active component purified from the leaves of paraquat-tolerant Rehmannia glutinosa

Acteoside extracted from the leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa was examined to determine the mechanism(s) of its antioxidant properties. The deoxyribose assay system showed that acteoside has a high redox potential as electron donor, which generates hydroxyl radicals in an Fe³⁺ -dependent manner similar to ascorbic acid. However, the antioxidant properties of acteoside differ from those of ascorbic acid in that the superoxide anion-mediated reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium was actively inhibited by acteoside but not by ascorbic acid. Acteoside protected cells against glucose oxidase-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, acteoside had immune stimulating effects, as shown by the acteoside-mediated increase in the level of DNA synthesis, viability, and cytokine secretion in mouse splenocytes. Moreover, acteoside inhibited the gelatinolytic activity of MMP proteins in a dose-dependent manner. Considering these results and the fact that acteoside is a water-soluble natural product, acteoside might have potential as a preventative treatment for oxidative stress-mediated diseases and have possibilities in the cosmetic industry.