**2.1 Antioxidant effect**

Free radicals are responsible for ample of disorder in human medicines. Blockage, neutralization or complexation of these noxious radicals can prevent or mitigate numerous health issues. In this respect, synthetic antioxidants might be

#### *Pharmacological Investigation of Genus* Pistacia *DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97322*

responsible for several side effects; therefore, natural antioxidants are preferred. Antioxidants are the best preventive agents against free radicals responsible for various diseases. Within this context, different members of the genus *Pistacia* demonstrated variable degree of free radicals scavenging potential. The leaf extracts of *P. lenticus* and *P. atlantica* showed a week antioxidant effect (14.16 and 19.3% respectively) [1]. On the other hand, the methanol extract of *P. linticus* at the flowering season was tested for antioxidant effect using DPPH and PRAP assays; results showed a high significant antioxidant (131 mmol/L) effect [2]. Similarly, the crude leaf extract of *P. linticus* demonstrated significant antioxidant potential [3]. The methanol leaf extracts of *P. atlantica* of 34 collected samples were tested for antioxidant effect, and results revealed significant antioxidant [4]. In a similar fashion, the seeds and skin of pistachio (*P. vera* L) were subjected to antioxidant effect (DPPH, TEAC, and SOD mimetic assays), and the phenolic contents quantification (HPLC) were determined. The best antioxidant effect of skin as compared to seeds was attributed to the highest phenolic contents [5]. Additionally, the hydrophilic extract of pistachio nut showed antioxidant effects due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds [6]. The acetone and methanol extracts of *P. terebinthus* demonstrated good antioxidant effects, attributed to the presence of various phenolic contents and flavones [7]. *P. weinmannifolia* is a shrub and widely distributed in the Yunnan area of China. The leaves of this plant are used traditionally by the herbalist. The leaves are rich in phenolic constitutes, among which Gallotannins, Pistafolin A and B were confirmed. The protection of lipid, proteins and DNA damage from the reactive oxygen species (ROS) by Pistafolin A and B through antioxidant effect was reported. The free radical scavenging effect of Pistofoli A was more potent than Pistofolin B due to structural changes [1]. Taken all together, *Pistacia* plants could be excellent free radical scavengers, which could help to cure or mitigate several diseases. The ROS or RNS etc., as free radicals interact with the cell membrane, such as the free radicals interact with hemoglobin and making them denatured, the denatured hemoglobin accumulating at the surface of RBC and making the cell membrane non-flexible, which leads to the rupturing of RBC known as hemolytic anemia. The use of antioxidanta, especially the plants-based antioxidants, can prevent a lot of health problems.
