Study on Antioxidant Activity of Lithospermum erythrorhizon in vitro

Lithospermum erythrorhizon pigment(LEP)was isolated from L.erythrorhizon by means of regular reflux-extract.Moreover,the antioxidant activity of LEP was evaluated by superoxide anion(O₂),1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH·)radical scavenging activity and β-carotene linoleate model system assays.The results showed that LEP had strong radical scavenging activity towards DPPH· and O₂^-,and it owned obvious inhibition against β-carotene linoleate model system.Therefore,the results proved that the pharmacological function of L.erythrorhizon was probably related with the strong antioxidant activity of LEP.