3.6. Assay of superoxide radical scavenging activity
The superoxide radical is known to be very harmful to cellular
components as a precursor of more reactive oxygen species
(Halliwell & Gutteridge, 1985). Table 1 shows the superoxide
radical (O2
) scavenging activity of the extract. In general the sample
tested in this study showed high superoxide scavenging activity.
The extract from the hot water infusion exhibited high
scavenging activities against superoxide radicals. The IC50 value
of tea extracted with hot water was 94 ± 12.9 lg/ml.