Hydro-alcoholic extracts of roots and sprouts of armoracia rusticana: Assessment of antioxidant and cytotoxic activity

Abstract

Armoracia rusticana - horseradish is a well-known vegetable used from ancient times and consumed nowadays more for its taste than its pharmacological properties, even though it proved to be a good agent in fighting several health problems. This study focuses on a comparative assessment of several horseradish hydro-alcoholic extracts, obtained from roots and sprouts, respectively, mainly evaluating the antioxidant activity but also a potential cytotoxic effect. The DPPH evaluation revealed that horseradish extracts made from roots or sprouts exhibit a strong antioxidant activity compared to the ascorbic acid used as etalon. The in vitro evaluation established that a significant inhibitory effect on cell viability and morphology of MDA-MB-231 - breast adenocarcinoma cell line was displayed by the hydroalcoholic extracts in a dose-dependent manner.