Documented: The potent antioxidant activity of Chinese asparagus

Research has shown that the Chinese asparagus (Asparagus cochinchinensis) contains plenty of natural compounds with antioxidant activity. When given to mice, the water-based extract from the root of the vegetable is able to reduce the symptoms of aging caused by destructive free radicals.

The study was conducted by the Hunan Agriculture University. The results were published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

• An extract was produced from Chinese asparagus roots using water as a solvent. The aqueous extract would be compared to vitamin C, which is a known antioxidant.
• Aging was induced in mice using injections of D-galactose that caused oxidative stress in important organs. Animals were treated with either the aqueous extract or vitamin C.
• The researchers measured blood, liver, and brain tissue samples for signs of aging caused by D-galactose-induced oxidative stress. They also looked for the antioxidant activity that prevented such damage by scavenging free radicals.
• The Chinese asparagus extract was at least as effective as vitamin C in scavenging certain free radicals that would have caused oxidative stress. The extract showed superior scavenging activities when it came to neutralizing superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals.
• Furthermore, the aqueous extract raised the number of white blood cells in the blood. It improved the catalase, nitric oxide synthase, and superoxide dismutase levels. It also increased nitric oxide content while decreasing malondialdehyde.

Given the confirmation of its antioxidant effects, the researchers recommend additional and deeper analysis of the Chinese asparagus to identify the active ingredient behind its powerful antioxidant activity.

You can browse the full study at this link, or look for more anti-aging tips at Longevity.news.

Journal Reference:

Lei L, Chen Y, Ou L, Xu Y, Yu X. AQUEOUS ROOT EXTRACT OF ASPARAGUS COCHINCHINENSIS (LOUR.) MERR. HAS ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY IN D-GALACTOSE-INDUCED AGING MICE. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 25 September 2017;17(469). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1975-x.