Enzyme Inhibitory Properties, Antioxidant Activities, and Phytochemical Profile of Three Medicinal Plants from Turkey.

Gokhan Zengin,Ramazan Ceylan,Gokalp Ozmen Guler,Carene Marie Nancy Picot,M Fawzi Mahomoodally,Abdurrahman Aktumsek

doi:10.1155/2015/410675

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the inhibitory potential of three medicinal plants (Hedysarum varium, Onobrychis hypargyrea, and Vicia truncatula) from Turkey against key enzymes involved in human pathologies, namely, diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), neurodegenerative disorders (tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase), and hyperpigmentation (tyrosinase). The antioxidant potential, phenolic and flavonoid content of ethyl acetate, and methanolic and aqueous extracts were investigated using in vitro assays. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC), β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH•), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+), cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and metal chelating activity on ferrous ions were used to evaluate the antioxidant capabilities of the extracts. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of the extracts on cholinesterase, tyrosinase, and α-amylase were significantly higher than the references, galantamine, kojic acid, and acarbose, respectively. The half-maximal effective concentrations (EC50) of the extracts on TAC, CUPRAC, and FRAP were significantly higher than trolox. The phenol and flavonoid contents of the plant extracts were in the range 20.90 ± 0.190–83.25 ± 0.914 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract and 1.45 ± 0.200–39.71 ± 0.092 mg rutin equivalent/g extract, respectively. The plants were found to possess moderate antioxidant capacities and interesting inhibitory action against key enzymes.

Highlights

Turkey has been described as one of the countries which has the richest floral biodiversity worldwide [1]
It was observed that the flavonoid content of the plant extracts varied in the following order: MeOH > Aq > EA
Results from the present study have demonstrated that the plant extracts showed good abilities to quench both DPPH∙ and ABTS∙+

Summary

Introduction

Turkey has been described as one of the countries which has the richest floral biodiversity worldwide [1]. This is due to its unique geographical location, climatic conditions, and geomorphological characteristics [2, 3]. 10,500 species have been identified in Turkey and 30% were found to be endemic [2]. The relatively high rate of endemism in Turkey provides an indication of the richest biodiversity in this area [1]. Medicinal plants were the only resources available for the treatment of several diseases which plagued humanity. Many of today’s drugs have been derived from medicinal plants [1]

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion