Abstract

In this paper, total polysaccharides were respectively prepared from rhizome and aerial part of Athyrium Multidentatum (Doll) Ching. (AMC) and had their antioxidant activities investigated employing various established in vitro systems, including superoxide/hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and reducing power. Sulfate content and molecular weights of polysaccharides from rhizome (PR) and aerial part (PA) were determined. PR and PA exhibited stronger scavenging capacity on superoxide radicals than vitamin C (Vc) at concentrations from 22.22 to 44.44 μg/ml. The sulfate content in PR and PA were 3.45 and 4.68%, respectively. PR and PA consisted of different polysaccharide fractions. Available data obtained with in vitro models suggested that the ratio of sulfate content was an effective indicator to antioxidant activity of the samples.

Key words: Antioxidant activity, Athyrium Multidentatum (Doll.) Ching., polysaccharide, radical scavenging activity, reducing power.