Phytotherapy Research. 1997; 11:254-256.

Evaluation of the In Vitro Antioxidant Activity in Extracts of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC.

Desmarchelier C, Mungelli E, Coussio J, Ciccia G

Different extracts of U. tomentosa were tested in vitro for their antioxidant activity utilizing tert-butyl-hydroperoxide-initiated chemiluminescence in rat liver homogenates. Methanol fractions of both stem-bark and roots were capable of exerting antioxidant activity by this technique. The presence of different concentrations of bark and root methanol extracts also prevented TBARS production and free radical-mediated DNA-sugar damage.