Leiothrix (Eriocaulaceae) is an exclusively South American genus of which 37 species are restricted to Brazil. Leiothrix flavescens (Bong.) Ruhland and Leiothrix curvifolia (Bong.) Ruhland, are species endemic to areas of Minas Gerais and Bahia States. Chemical and biological investigations of this genus are scarse. The objective of this work was to investigate the antioxidant effect using TEAC and linoleic acid assays of the xanthones isolated from the ethanolic extract of these species. These substances showed a moderate antioxidant activity when compared to quercetin and to BHT.
Antioxidant; TEAC; Linoleic acid; Eriocaulaceae; Leiothrix spp.; Xanthones