Rosmarinic
acid, together with similar compounds, has been known
as „Labiatengerbstoff“ even before its chemical structure
was elucidated. Indeed, it is a tannin-like compound,
sometimes described as a depside of caffeic acid. Originally
identified in rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.),
the structure was elucidated as an ester of caffeic
acid and 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)lactic acid. The compound
has been reported to occur in several taxonomically
non-related families of the plant kingdom. It has attracted
much attention since it was identified to be the main
compound responsible for the antiviral activity of lemon
balm in treating Herpes simplex.
http://www.fpharm.uniba.sk/
Peroxynitrite
(ONOO−)
is considered to be more toxic to cell than either of
its precursors, NO or .O2−,
because ONOO−
is a powerful oxidant that can cause damages of proteins,
lipids, and DNA through more subtle action mechanism,
which is called the process of nitration and oxidation.
Because of these potential effects, it is important
to study the exact nature of cytotoxic property of ONOO−
scavengers
which should be supplemented. In the present study,
we investigated reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive
nitrogen species (RNS) scavenging activities for rosmarinic
acid. Rosmarinic acid showed evidence of scavenger for
ONOO−. In lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-treated spleen and
kidney, rosmarinic acid decreased the ROS and ONOO−
levels. The data from the experiments confirmed a protective
effect of rosmarinic acid on ROS generation in vascular
endothelial cells. Further, rosmarinic acid was found
to block tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-mediated ROS
generation. The present study demonstrated that rosmarinic
acid exerts an anti-oxidative effect by scavenging ONOO−.
http://korea-biogerontology.org/
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