Antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from rhizomes of the herb Curcuma phaeocaulis in vitro

Water-soluble polysaccharides were obtained from rhizomes on roots of the herb Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton. In addition,the total contents of carbohydrate,uronic acid and protein of C. phaeocaulis polysaccharide were measured by chemical methods,and the structural characteristic of CPP was detected by FT-IR spectra.Furthermore,the antioxidant activities of CPP were evaluated on the basis of DPPH,hydroxyl radical,superoxide anion radicals scavenging ability and reducing power in vitro. The results showed that the contents of carbohydrate,uronic acid and protein were 56.13%,8.65% and 4.53%,respectively. The results showed that the CPP possessing remarkable free radical scavenging activity and a good reducing power in vitro antioxidant assay. The IC50 values of scavenging free radicals were 0.29,0.44,0.36mg/m L,respectively.