Extract from Eugenia punicifolia is an Antioxidant and Inhibits Enzymes Related to Metabolic Syndrome

• Published in: Applied biochemistry and biotechnology 2014, Vol.172 (1), p.311-324
• Main Authors: Galeno, Denise Morais Lopes, Carvalho, Rosany Piccolotto, de Araújo Boleti, Ana Paula, Lima, Arleilson Sousa, de Almeida, Patricia Danielle Oliveira, Pacheco, Carolina Carvalho, de Souza, Tatiane Pereira, Lima, Emerson Silva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3T3-L1 Cells; absorption; alpha-amylase; alpha-glucosidase; Animals; antioxidant activity; Antioxidants; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Cardiovascular diseases; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; colorimetry; Cytotoxicity; diet; Enzyme Inhibitors - isolation & purification; Enzyme Inhibitors - pharmacology; Enzyme Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Enzymes; Eugenia; free radical scavengers; Free Radical Scavengers - isolation & purification; Free Radical Scavengers - pharmacology; Free Radical Scavengers - therapeutic use; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; in vitro studies; leaves; Metabolic disorders; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - drug therapy; Metabolic Syndrome - enzymology; Mice; plant extracts; Plant Extracts - isolation & purification; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plant Leaves - chemistry; risk factors; Syzygium - chemistry; triacylglycerol lipase; xanthine oxidase
• ISSN: 0273-2289; 1559-0291
• DOI: 10.1007/s12010-013-0520-8

The present study aimed to investigate in vitro biological activities of extract of Eugenia punicifolia leaves (EEP), emphasizing the inhibitory activity of enzymes related to metabolic syndrome and its antioxidant effects. The antioxidant activity was analyzed by free radicals scavengers in vitro assays: DPPH·, ABTS·⁺, O₂ ·⁻, and NO· and a cell-based assay. EEP were tested in inhibitory colorimetric assays using α-amylase, α-glucosidase, xanthine oxidase, and pancreatic lipase enzymes. The EEP exhibited activity in ABTS·⁺, DPPH·, and O₂ ·⁻ scavenger (IC₅₀ = 10.5 ± 1.2, 28.84 ± 0.54, and 38.12 ± 2.6 μg/mL), respectively. EEP did not show cytotoxic effects, and it showed antioxidant activity in cells in a concentration-dependent manner. EEP exhibited inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase activities in vitro assays (IC₅₀ = 122.8 ± 6.3; 2.9 ± 0.1; 23.5 ± 2.6), respectively; however, EEP did not inhibit the lipase activity. The findings supported that extract of E. punicifolia leaves is a natural antioxidant and inhibitor of enzymes, such as α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase, which can result in a reduction in the carbohydrate absorption rate and decrease of risks factors of cardiovascular disease, thereby providing a novel dietary opportunity for the prevention of metabolic syndrome.