RESUMEN
Flavonoids are polyphenols derivatives of plant origin that possesses a broad range of pharmacological properties, including protection of cells and tissues against the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species. Their antioxidant activity results from scavenging of free radicals and other oxidizing intermediates, from the chelation of iron or copper ions and from inhibition of oxidases. But a number of studies have found both anti and prooxidant effects for many of these compounds. These reasons prompted us to investigate whether flavonoids compounds alone or combined flavonoids had antioxidant, free radical scavenger and antiapoptotic properties. The investigation was carried in vitro using rat hepatic mitochondria. Respiratory control ratio (RCR), oxygen consumption, adenosine tri phosphate (ATP) synthesis, scavenging action, enzymatic activities of involved complexes, superoxide anion and the release of cytochrome C were measured to assess the mechanisms of action of these drugs. Our data showed that the decrease of RCR induced by high concentrations (0.1 mM and 0.01 mM) of all flavonoids tested was due to a common inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation (State 4) and activation of state 3. At the opposite mitochondrial swelling was slightly induced only by low concentrations (10(-8) and 10(-9) M) of the flavonoids. They had no effects on the mitochondrial complexes (I to V) activity. Furthermore the mitochondrial membrane potential was not affected by any flavonoids. The effect of flavonoids on superoxide anion generation was variable. All the flavonoids studied acted between 10(-4) M and 10(-6) M with no effects at lower concentrations. These effects were similar on lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA] levels). We remarked a concentration-dependent in the effect of flavonoids since they acted as antioxidant and also as uncoupler at high concentrations, which is a risk for the cells. We conclude that flavonoids extracted from algerian plants have some protecting effects against oxidative stress by protecting the mitochondria.