In vitro evaluation of the effects of flavonoids and saponins from Chenopodium bonus-henricus L. on non-enzyme-induced lipid peroxidation in isolated rat liver microsomes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 15 saponins and flavonoids from the roots and aerial parts of C. bonus-henricus L. on non-enzymatic (Fe 2+ /AA)-induced lipid peroxidation in isolated rat liver microsomes. The production of MDA was used as a marker of lipid peroxidation. All saponins exhibited pronounced antioxidant activity (reducing MDA production by 17–23%) comparable to that of silymarin (20%), a well-established antioxidant and hepatoprotective agent. The bayogenin ( ChBh-04 ) and 2β-hydroxygypsogenin saponins showed the strongest effects. Flavonoids demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in microsomes from old rats, whereas their effects were less pronounced in microsomes from young rats. The highest reduction in MDA levels, exceeding that of silibinin (61%), was achieved by 6-methoxykaempferol glycoside (62%, ChBhnf-09 ), likely due to the ferulic acid in its moiety. These findings suggest that saponins and flavonoids from wild spinach may play a significant role in protecting liver cells from oxidative stress.