Abstract
Roots and stem-bark of Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) (Berberidaceae) are effectively used in the treatment of skin inflammatory conditions.In the present study, the effect of Mahonia aquifolium crude extract and its two representative alkaloid fractions containing protoberberine and bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloids on activity of 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX), was studied. The reactivity with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), a free stable radical, was evaluated to elucidate the rate of possible lipid-derived radical scavenging in the mechanism of the enzyme inhibition.The results indicate that although the direct radical scavenging mechanism cannot be ruled out in the lipoxygenase inhibition by Mahonia aquifolium and its constituents, other mechanisms based on specific interaction between enzyme and alkaloids could play the critical role in the lipoxygenase inhibition rather than non-specific reactivity with free radicals.
Highlights
Mahonia root and stem bark have long been considered to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal activity and they are used for treatment of skin diseases [1,2,3,4]
The highest inhibitory effect was obtained for crude extract of Mahonia aquifolium (IC50 = 0.76.10-3 ± 0.12.10-3 g/L) (Table 1)
The results expressed as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in μg Trolox equivalents/g (Table 3) [21] showed that the most potent antiradical reactivity may be attributed to the phenolic BBIQ alkaloids constituting fraction I, whereas a remarkably lower antioxidant capacity was obtained for the samples of crude extract, fraction II and berberine with comparable values of TAC
Summary
Mahonia root and stem bark have long been considered to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal activity and they are used for treatment of skin diseases [1,2,3,4]. They are indicated for treatment of the eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions [5]. Berberine was found to inhibit the single-strand cleveage of DNA [9] It did exhibit a strong superoxide anion radical quenching ability rather than a strong hydroxyl radical scavenging activity [9]. It was reported to exert a protective effect (page number not for citation purposes)
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