摘要：Mercury poisoning is responsible for inducing serious adverse effects in living
organisms. One of protection factors could be substances proven to possess high
antioxidant and metal chelating activity – plant polyphenols. There are many
sources of polyphenols in plant kingdom but the most interesting for food
industry could be widely consumed herbs. Aim of the research was to evaluate
antioxidative potential of selected plant extracts and its influence on HepG2
cells in different conditions. Ethanolic herbs extracts were characterised by
total polyphenol content. Antioxidant activity was estimated with use of DPPH•
and ABTS+• radicals scavenging methods and FRAP. Research included cells
viability estimation by the MTT assay and cells exposition to HgCl2, chemical
agent inducing cell death. Analysis of herbs extracts antioxidative activity
showed best potential represented thyme and marjoram, highest FRAP was evaluated
in samples with mint and marjoram extracts. On the basis of received results it
was found that examined plant extracts showed weak protection against Hg
presence in examined cells environment.
