Abstract

Origanum majorana is a cosmopolitan herb widely known as “marjoram”, which is used in traditional medicine and as family kitchen herb, for culinary purposes. Phytochemical screening was carried out and the antioxidant activity of Origanum majorana (Lamiaceae) hydroethanolic extract and infusion was investigated in this study. The hydroethanolic extract was screened through thin layer chromatography, subjected to spectrophotometry for polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins, as well as to 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical and iron reducing power assays. Fresh plant infusion was tested for the first time at three different concentrations against oxidative stress biomarkers in erythrocytes from HIV patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy. High antioxidant substance levels, as well as significant decrease in carbonylated protein, GSH and TBARS levels, were recorded, fact that showed the potential of O. majorana as exogenous antioxidant source. Our results indicated that O. majorana has good potential to prevent diseases caused by the overproduction of free radicals, and that it can be used as potential source of natural antioxidant agents.

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