Purification and characterisation of a novel antioxidant protein molecule from Phyllanthus niruri

The herb Phyllanthus niruri is known to possess antioxidant activity, but the nature of the responsible active principle(s) is not well defined. The present study reports the purification and characterisation of a 35 kDa antioxidant protein molecule from this herb using a bioassay in which oxidative stress was introduced in hepatocytes with the help of a suitable free radical inducer, tertiary butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), and the prevention of that stress was monitored using the protein fraction(s) obtained at each step of the purification. Partial amino acid sequence of this protein revealed its unique structural features. The purified protein possesses potent radical-scavenging activity, enhances intracellular antioxidant power and protects the TBHP-induced alterations of the cytoprotective and antioxidant molecules, as well as other parameters used in this particular study. Combining, data suggest that the antioxidant activity of Phyllanthus niruri is at least partly due to this unique protein molecule.