Antioxidant and angiotension‐converting enzyme inhibition capacities of various parts of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd)

Abstract

Vegetables and fruits have been shown to be good sources of antioxidants. Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat hypertension and inflammation. The aims of this study were to investigate the abilities of antioxidation and inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity of wax gourd pulp, core, seed, and peel prepared by different extraction methods. The fresh weights required to reach 50% inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation were higher in fresh extracts, compared to other extraction methods. Fresh weights required to reach 50% inhibition were the lowest in seed. The seed had the lowest Cu2+ -induced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation percentage and inhibition level of ACE activity among all parts. The higher antioxidant capacity of the seed may result from the higher total phenolics contents and superoxide dismutase activity. The abilities of antioxidation and ACE activity inhibition may provide protective effects against cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

Kundur [Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.]: A potential source for valuable nutrients and functional foods

“…Antioxidants have been suggested to reduce oxidative damage including damage from lipid peroxidation, and therefore prevent various diseases such as diabetic complications (Lim, 2007), atherosclerosis, cancer, aging, and inflammation (Huang, Huang, Tso, Tsai, & Chang, 2004). Some in vitro and in vivo studies conducted on Kundur fruit revealed that its juice and extract has antioxidant activity especially on human tissues like liver and brain Roy, Ghosh, & Guha, 2007).…”

“…According to Bhalodia et al (2009), angiotensin-2 stimulates intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide that led to kidney damage. Huang et al (2004) demonstrated that the inhibition of ACE activity by Kundur fruit may be due to its high phenolic contents and superoxide dismutase activity. This may provide the pharmacological basis for its long time uses in the treatment of high blood pressure in traditional Chinese medicine.…”

“…A study by Huang et al (2004), on the in vitro antioxidant activity of Kundur fruit demonstrated that the seed has the highest capacity for inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation and scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals compared to the peel, pulp and core of the fruit. This may be due to higher total phenolic contents and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the seeds.…”

“…5), however more studies should be done on isolation and identification of potential antioxidants in this medicinally and nutritionally important fruit. Huang et al (2004) examined that Kundur fruit pulp, peel, seed and core exhibited angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor activity in vitro. Angiotensin-1 is converted to angiotensin-2 in the presence of ACE.…”

Anti–bacterial activity and brine shrimp lethality bioassay of methanolic extracts of fourteen different edible vegetables from Bangladesh

“…Amaranthus tricolor was reported to have cyclooxygenase and human tumour cell growth inhibitory activities [5] . Benincasa hispida was found to have antiulcerogenic activity, bronchospasm inhibition activity, antioxidant and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition capacity, hypoglycemic and antihyperglecemic activity [6][7][8][9][10] , Corchorus olitorius was found to have antibacterial activity, antioxidant and antidiabetic effects, anti-angiogenic effects, anorectic activity, glucose and lipid lowering activity [10][11][12][13][14] . anticonvulsion and antisteroidogenic activity , cytotoxic and antimalarial activity [15][16][17][18] for the source of histamine release inhibitors and phenolic antioxidants [19,20] .…”