Antioxidant capacity of Melissa Officinalis L. on Biological Systems

The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vitro antioxidant capacity of Melissa extract (ME) ( Melissa officinalis L.) and its protective effect on peroxyl radical-induced oxidative damage in erythrocytes. ME used in present study was obtained by rota-evaporation of the crude extract (ethanol:water/dried leaves). Total phenolic and flavonoids contend determination, 176.8 ± 13.2 mg GAE/g dw and  26.2 ± 3.2 mg QE/g dw, respectively).  Total equivalent antioxidant activities, TEAC in mg TE/g dw, were 61.4 ± 5.5 and 512.4 ± 77.2 for respective FRAP assay and DPPH • radical-scavenging. The ME acts as an antioxidant on NO and O 2 •- , when ME exerted a higher antioxidant action on NO scavenging to compared to the ascorbic acid (1.9 times), however, the antioxidant capacity of ME on O 2 •- was lower than ascorbic acid (5.6 times). The values of hemolysis inhibition from ME (IC 50 , 2.0 ± 0.5 mg/mL) were higher than ascorbic acid (IC 50 , 7.1 ± 1.8 mg/mL). Extract of Melissa was able to eliminate biological free radicals, suggesting a potential to prevent oxidative damage in vivo . In fact, the ME exerted protective action on cell membrane lysis in situ .