# Pro-Health Potential of Selected Uncommon Oilseed Plants
## 3 Pro-Health Potential of Selected Uncommon Oilseed Plants
### Carthamus tinctorius L
#### 3.1.2 Antioxidant Potential  
Oxidative stress is recognized as a crucial contributor to the pathogenesis of numerous chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. The organism employs a variety of defense mechanisms to counteract oxidative stress, such as antioxidant enzymes and antioxidants like vitamins C and E, flavonoids, and carotenoids. Recent research on antioxidants has been focused on their potential in disease prevention and therapeutic interventions [14; 15]. Safflower oil has been shown to possess strong antioxidant properties, which were confirmed using various methods, including DPPH (\(\alpha\), \(\alpha\)-diphenyl-\(\beta\)-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging method), ABTS (2,2\({}^{\prime}\)-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzodiazep-6-sulfonic acid method), and FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma assay). Studies suggest that the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of safflower oil may vary with plant genotype and cultivation conditions. The antioxidant potential of safflower oil draws attention to its use, among others, as a natural agent in maintaining skin health and antiaging protection. _C. tinctorius_ oil demonstrates anticollagenase and antielastase activity and possible management of skin wounds [16; 17]. Available scientific studies indicate the high antioxidant activity of _Carthamus tinctorius_ L. flower extracts. Extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity as assessed by methods such as ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) and DPPH. The most potent free radical scavenging effect was correlated with a higher total phenol content in the samples [18; 19]. [PERSON] et al. [18], in their studies, draw attention to the biphasic effect on oxidative stress of both safflower flower extracts and flavonoid compounds, HSYA and safflor yellow A (SYA). Extracts, HSYA and SYA showed a protective effect against oxidative stress in human dermal fibroblasts (HuDes) oxidized by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH) at low concentrations, while at higher concentrations, they showed pro-oxidant activity [18]. The antioxidant properties of HSYA are strongly connected with the protective effect of safflower against various diseases. The administration of HSYA maintained kidney function in rats with diabetic nephropathy induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ). The probable mechanism underlying the renal protective properties of HSYA could involve the suppression of oxidative stress, mitigation of inflammatory responses, and alleviation of renal cell apoptosis [20]. Furthermore, pretreatment with hydroxysafflor yellow A may prevent oxidative injury from occurring in the renal tissue of rats [21]. Research by [PERSON] et al. suggested that due to its ability to modulate oxidative stress and enhance antioxidant defense, HSYA has potential as a neuroprotective agent in the treatment of traumatic brain injury. HSYA administration significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the brains of rats with traumatic brain injury. HSYA decreased the level of malondialdehydedehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress, and reduced the ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione, indicating improved antioxidant defense [22]. More recent studies seem to be focused on understanding the antioxidant activity of lesser-known compounds present in safflower. [PERSON] et al. analyzedtwo polysaccharides derived from safflower, CTLP-1 and CTLP-2. Both polysaccharides showed high capacity to neutralize free radicals, including hydroxyl, DPPH, and ABTS radicals, moderate activity in chelating Fe\({}^{2+}\), and superoxide anion scavenging. The results suggest that CTLP-1 and CTLP-2 may be useful as natural antioxidants [23].