Antioxidant property of Fructus Momordicae extract

The antioxidant effect of Fructus Momordicae extract, FME (mogrosides 75‐80%), was studied. FME reduced the stable free radical 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and scavenged superoxide radicals (O2‐) generated by a hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase system. It also scavenged hydroxyl radicals (⊎OH) generated by Fenton reaction. In addition, FME inhibited Fe(II) induced lipid peroxidation in rat cortex homogenates in a dose‐dependent manner, as indicated by decreased thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) formation. Oral administration of FME inhibited TBARS and malonaldehyde (MDA) formation in the ipsilateral cortex 30 min after iron‐salt injection into the left cortex of rat. FME showed inhibitory effect on 4‐hydroxy‐2(E)‐nonenal (4‐HNE) formation induced by Fe(III) injection into the rat cortex. These data suggest that Fructus Momordicae extract has an antioxidant activity against free radicals and lipid peroxidation.