Background: Iron overload is commonly found in blood transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia patients. Redox excessive iron can catalyze the generation of free radicals, leading to damage of biomolecules and malfunctions of many organs. Therefore, chelation of excessive iron could be an effective therapeutic approach in pathological states associated with oxidative stress.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate reducing power, iron chelating property and free radical scavenging activity of
Rhangdang leaves extract in iron-loaded HepG2 cells.
Material and Method: Rhangdang (Ventilago denticulata willd) leaves were extracted with hydroethanol. The extract was then determined reducing power, free radical scavenging activity, and iron binding/chelating activity.
Results: The ethanol extract of Rhang Dang leaves had high reducing power and iron binding ability, and contained
considerable free radical scavenging activity. The extract also showed protective activity against H2O2 induced oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, it decreased the level of labile iron pool in iron loaded HepG2 cells.
Conclusion: Rhang Dang (V. denticulata willd) leaves extract contains important active ingredient that possess anti-oxidative
and iron-chelating activity. Potentially, the herbal plant would be used for amelioration of iron overload-induced oxidative cell and tissue damage.

Keyword: Reducing power, Antioxidant, Reactive oxygen species, Iron chelating, Labile iron pools