Cao_2012_Food.Chem.Toxicol_51C_242

The profiles and bioactivities of flavonoids extracted from Dryopteris erythrosora were investigated. The total flavonoid content in full plant of D. Erythrosora is about 14.33%. The main flavonoids in D. Erythrosora were identified as gliricidin 7-O-hexoside, apigenin7-O-glucoside, quercetin 7-O-rutinoside, quercetin 7-O-galactoside, keampferol 7-O-gentiobioside, keampferol-3-O-rutinoside, myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside and quercitrin by means of HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. Flavonoids (0.36mg/ml) extract from D. erythrosora showed similar 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH()), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical (ABTS()), superoxide anion scavenging potential and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) with that of rutin (0.80mg/ml). However, the antioxidant power by FRAP assay of 0.36mg/ml flavonoids extract from D. erythrosora was much weaker than that of 0.80mg/ml rutin. Moreover, the flavonoids extract from D. erythrosora showed obvious cytotoxic effects on A549 cells. The antioxidant activities of flavonoids extracts from 69 ferns showed a significant reciprocal proportion to the total flavonoids contents. The flavonoids extract from D. erythrosora exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition against acetylcholinesterase. Moreover, the anticancer activity slightly increased with improving antioxidant potential of fern flavonoids. Fern flavonoids are excellent function foods.