GC characterization and erectogenic enzyme inhibitory effect of essential oils from tangerine and lemon peels: A comparative study

Abstract

AbstractThis study comparatively evaluated inhibitory effect of essential oils (EOs) from tangerine and lemon peels on some enzymes [angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), arginase, monoamine oxidase (MAO), phosphodiesterase‐5 (PDE‐5), adenosine deaminase (ADA) and 5’‐nucleotidase] related to erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARs) level in isolated Wistar albino rats’ penile homogenate. In addition, the chemical compositions of these EOs were characterized via gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector (GC‐FID). The result revealed that the studied EOs were able to inhibit these erectogenic enzymes and TBARs level in a dose‐dependent manner. The EOs were found to be rich in monoterpenes hydrocarbon. However, the major constituent in both oils was D‐limonene, 45.48% and 34.99% abundance in lemon and tangerine EOs, respectively. Other phytoconstituents detected in substantial amounts include the following: 4‐Vinyl‐2‐methoxyphenol (5.42% and 2.97%), N‐methyl‐D3‐Aziridine (6.58% and 10.01%) and Xanthotoxin (12.055 and 18.7%) for lemon and tangerine EOs, respectively. It is suggestive that these EOs owe their exceptional inhibitory capacities to the availability of these phytochemicals. Hence, their ability to inhibit ACE, AChE, arginase, MAO, PDE‐5, ADA and 5’‐nucleotidase activities, and TBARs level could be the possible mechanism by which the studied EOs exert their therapeutic potentials in the management of ED.