Abstract

This study sought to determine the antioxidant activities and inhibitory effect of some egg plant species Solanum macrocarpon (yellow) and Solanum melongena (purple) on sodium nitroprusside and Fe²⁺ induced lipid peroxidation in rat’s pancreas. The totalphenolic, flavonoid and vitamin C content of the aqueous extracts were determined, as well as the antioxidant properties [ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP), Fe²⁺chelating ability and 2,2-Azinobis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS^·),1,1-diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl (OH·) radicals scavenging ability] inhibitory effect of the extracts on sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and Fe²⁺-induced lipid peroxidation were also determined in vitro. The results revealed that there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the total phenol, total flavonoid, vitamin C and FRAP of both eggplant, whileS. melongena had higher Fe²⁺ chelating ability and ABTS^· scavenging ability. The aqueous extracts from S. macrocarpon and S. melongena inhibited SNP and Fe²⁺-induced lipid peroxidation in rat’s pancreas in a dose dependent manner. The antioxidant properties of the aqueous extracts from S. macrocarpon and S. melongena eggplant species and their strong inhibition of SNP and Fe²⁺-induced lipid peroxidation suggest that they could be a good antioxidants source in the management of degenerative diseases.

Key words: Solanum species, antioxidant properties, lipid peroxidation, degenerative diseases.