Antioxidant Properties of Phenolics in Castanea sativa Mill. Extracts

Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, antioxidant properties of chestnut extracts have been investigated as a source of phenolic compounds. In addition to their high antioxidant activities against hydroxyl and organic free (DPPH) radicals, phenolics showed to be potent protectors of membranes from lipid peroxidation. To the best of our knowledge, the ability of an antioxidant to overcome body’s refractory response towards antioxidant supplementation has been examined for the first time. The water soluble extracts obtained from leaves, catkins, and outer brown peel of Castanea sativa Mill. showed high antioxidant activity in scavenging ·OH and DPPH radical. All extracts, except for sweet chestnut catkins, showed the ability to protect liposomes from peroxidation. Phenolic compounds, as active antioxidants, have the ability to enter and protect cell membranes from lipid peroxidation, thus overcoming the body’s refractory response to the antioxidant supplements in the diet. It is shown that phenolics are easily accessible natural antioxidants that can be used as food supplements or for the treatment of pathophysiological conditions related to oxidative stress