Exploring the antioxidant efficacy of boldine: A natural compound with broad-spectrum activity

Paper Details

Research Paper 12/10/2025
Views (140)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Exploring the antioxidant efficacy of boldine: A natural compound with broad-spectrum activity

Maharani Jaganathan, Kathiresan Suresh, Manickam John, Rajeswari Vasu, Theerthu Azhamuthu, Nihal Ahamed Abulkalam Asath, Ravichandran Pugazhendhi, Pratheeba Veerapandiyan
Int. J. Biosci. 27(4), 82-92, October 2025.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2025; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

Free radicals are unshared electrons that readily reacts with macromolecules and generate the reactive oxygen species, triggering lipid peroxidation reaction. This reaction lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, which can initiate and promote the progression of degenerative diseases, including cancer and diabetes mellitus. Antioxidants are free radical scavenging molecules that help to limit such diseases. Plant derived alkaloids boldine to possess their strong scavenging ability of free radicals. The boldine’s ability to scavenge free radicals and donate electrons was tested using various assays, including Superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide, and reducing power. The findings revealed that boldine effectively inhibited free radicals, as evidenced by its IC₅₀ value, compared to the standard ascorbic acid. This study found that boldine has substantial free radical scavenging action, as indicated by its IC₅₀ values when compared to the conventional antioxidant, ascorbic acid. Boldine and ascorbic acid had the following IC₅₀ values: 33.00 µg/mL and 36.00 µg/mL in the DPPH assay, 19.83 µg/mL and 23.08 µg/mL in the ABTS●+ assay, 14.00 µg/mL and 16.80 µg/mL in the hydroxyl radical assay, 29.00 µg/mL and 33.00 µg/mL in the superoxide anion assay, 27.00 µg/mL and 33.00 µg/mL in the hydrogen peroxide assay, and 11.96 µg/mL and 16.80 µg/mL in the nitric oxide assay, respectively. In addition, the reducing power of (21.00 µg/mL) ascorbic acid and boldine (19.00 µg/mL). The above findings suggest that Boldine has great antioxidant potential and effective free radical scavenging activity, suggesting that it can be applied as a natural beneficial antioxidant.

Alkadi H. 2020. A review on free radicals and antioxidants. Infectious Disorders-Drug Targets 20(1), 16–26.

Andrés CMC, Pérez de la Lastra JM, Juan CA, Plou FJ, Pérez-Lebeña E. 2022. Chemistry of hydrogen peroxide formation and elimination in mammalian cells, and its role in various pathologies. Stresses 2(3), 256–274. https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses2030018

Anjum NA, Sharma P, Gill SS, Hasanuzzaman M, Khan EA, Kachhap K, Mohamed AA, Thangavel P, Devi GD, Vasudhevan P, Sofo A. 2016. Catalase and ascorbate peroxidase—representative H₂O₂-detoxifying heme enzymes in plants. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23(19), 19002–19029.

Ashok A, Andrabi SS, Mansoor S, Kuang Y, Kwon BK, Labhasetwar V. 2022. Antioxidant therapy in oxidative stress-induced neurodegenerative diseases: role of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems in clinical translation. Antioxidants 11(2), 408.

Baliyan S, Mukherjee R, Priyadarshini A, Vibhuti A, Gupta A, Pandey RP, Chang CM. 2022. Determination of antioxidants by DPPH radical scavenging activity and quantitative phytochemical analysis of Ficus religiosa. Molecules 27(4), 1326. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041326

Battin EE, Brumaghim JL. 2009. Antioxidant activity of sulfur and selenium: a review of reactive oxygen species scavenging, glutathione peroxidase, and metal-binding antioxidant mechanisms. Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics 55(1), 1–23.

El-Beltagi HS, Mohamed HI. 2013. Reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative defense mechanism. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca 41(1), 44–57. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha4118929

Gao B. 2012. Interactions between flavonoids, vitamin C and vitamin E in protecting membranes against oxidative stress. Doctoral dissertation, University of Saskatchewan.

Gulcin İ. 2020. Antioxidants and antioxidant methods: an updated overview. Archives of Toxicology 94(3), 651–715.

Gulcin İ. 2020. Antioxidants and antioxidant methods: an updated overview. Archives of Toxicology 94(3), 651–715. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-020-02689-3

Houghton PJ. 1995. The role of plants in traditional medicine and current therapy. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 1(2), 131–143. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.1995.1.131

Ighodaro OM, Akinloye OA. 2018. First line defence antioxidants—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX): their fundamental role in the entire antioxidant defence grid. Alexandria Journal of Medicine 54(4), 287–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajme.2017.09.001

Jia N, Li T, Diao X, Kong B. 2014. Protective effects of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) extract on hydrogen peroxide-induced damage in lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells in relation to the antioxidant activity. Journal of Functional Foods 11, 142–151.

Jideani AI, Silungwe H, Takalani T, Omolola AO, Udeh HO, Anyasi TA. 2021. Antioxidant-rich natural fruit and vegetable products and human health. International Journal of Food Properties 24(1), 41–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/10942912.2020.1866597

Juurlink BH. 1997. Response of glial cells to ischemia: roles of reactive oxygen species and glutathione. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 21(2), 151–166.

Lamba D, Dwivedi DK, Yadav M, Kumar YR S. 2024. Boldine: a narrative review of the bioactive compound with versatile biological and pharmacological potential. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine 6, 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60091455

Pekiner BD. 2003. Vitamin E as an antioxidant. Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy of Ankara University 32(4), 243–267.

Sies H, Cadenas E. 1985. Oxidative stress: damage to intact cells and organs. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. B, Biological Sciences 311(1152), 617–631.

Sundaram Sanjay S, Shukla AK. 2021. Free radicals versus antioxidants. In: Potential therapeutic applications of nano-antioxidants, 1–17. Singapore: Springer Singapore.

Tiwana JK, Shah AK, Dhalla NS. 2024. The involvement of reactive oxygen species in causing chronic cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and some cancers. Scripta Medica 55(2), 199–217.

Tran N, Pham B, Le L. 2020. Bioactive compounds in anti-diabetic plants: from herbal medicine to modern drug discovery. Biology 9, 252. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology9090252

Yeshi K, Ruscher R, Hunter L, Daly NL, Loukas A, Wangchuk P. 2020. Revisiting inflammatory bowel disease: pathology, treatments, challenges and emerging therapeutics including drug leads from natural products. Journal of Clinical Medicine 9, 1273. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9051273

Related Articles

Extraction of biologically active substances of fungi isolated from various ecosystems and evaluation of their effect

K. F. Bakhshaliyeva*, G. A. Tomuyeva, A. R. Hasanova, V. Y. Hasanova, A. M. Hasanov, S. E. Nagiyeva, A. G. Eyvazov, G. T. Huseynova, G. A. Qasimova, V. K. Isayeva, Int. J. Biosci. 28(2), 143-150, February 2026.

Integrative role of yeast culture metabolites in aquatic health and productivity

Sajjad Ur Rahman, Dur E Nayab, Rabia Kanwar*, Muhammad Mukarram Bashir, Int. J. Biosci. 28(2), 126-142, February 2026.

Land use efficiency and performance of sweet corn-cowpea intercropping influenced by temporal planting and methods of fertilizer application

Bryan Cristian M. Demolar, Marissa C. Hitalia*, Int. J. Biosci. 28(2), 101-125, February 2026.

Illuminating the deficiency: Public awareness of vitamin- D in Lahore, Pakistan

Muhammad Zeeshan Arif*, Muhammad Arslan Shahid, Zeerak Laila, Ahmad Ali Shabbir, Farrukh Nadeem, M Muazzam Khan, Yousuf Shahjahan, Rajab Ali, Int. J. Biosci. 28(2), 91-100, February 2026.

Characteristics of symbiotic relationships between plants and bacteria and the influence of stress factors on them

Konul F. Bakhshaliyeva, Navai D. İmamquliyev, Mehpara İ. Gasımova, Sevda M. Muradova, Panah Z. Muradov*, Int. J. Biosci. 28(2), 75-90, February 2026.

In the line of fire: Unmasking the institutional challenges in the bureau of fire protection

Mhelen Grace F. Libre, Nancy E. Aranjuez*, Int. J. Biosci. 28(2), 53-74, February 2026.

One health approch: Diversity of domestic larval habitats and human responsibility in mosquito proliferation in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso)

Zouéra Laouali, Kouamé Wilfred Ulrich Kouadio, Moussa Namountougou*, Int. J. Biosci. 28(2), 38-52, February 2026.

Linkages between land use change, flooding, and water quality in the Pallikaranai Marshland, Chennai, India

Arunpandiyan Murugesan, Roshy Ann Mathews, Aarthi Mariappan, J. Ranjansri, Rajakumar Sundaram, Prashanthi Devi Marimuthu*, Int. J. Biosci. 28(2), 28-37, February 2026.