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

Abstract

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.

Comparison of methods for detoxification of spruce hydrolysate for bacterial cellulose production

“…The difference may be due either to that it was important to decrease the total load of toxic phenols below a certain threshold to permit growth or to that the phenols that are most easily oxidized are not the most toxic ones. Previous studies show that some phenols are oxidized more rapidly than others during enzymatic treatment [36] and also that different phenolics have very different toxic effect on the fermenting microorganism [40]. The effect of phenolic compounds on cell growth and BC production of G. xylinus is not well understood and the mechanism of inhibition by phenolic compounds requires further investigation.…”

Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. as an Adjuvant Treatment for Type‐2 Diabetes Mellitus: A non‐Controlled, Pilot Study

“…Flavonoids, gallic acid, and phytol identified in E . punicifolia leaf extracts have significant antioxidant activity (Galeno et al ., ; Salgueiro et al ., ; Santos et al ., ). It is well known that cells exposed to natural antioxidants exhibit decreased insulin resistance (Ruhe and McDonald, ).…”

Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects of a hydroalcoholic extract from the leaves of Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. in rodents

“…Phytochemical studies carried out with the genus Eugenia have demonstrated the occurrence of many classes of constituents including flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and essentials oils (Oliveira et al, 2006;Galeno et al, 2014). From a pharmacological point of view, studies using crude extracts of this genus showed its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antifungal, antipyretic, hypotensive, antidiabetic and antioxidant activities (Slowing et al, 1994;Donepudi et al, 2012;Oliveira et al, 2006).…”

“…From a pharmacological point of view, studies using crude extracts of this genus showed its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antifungal, antipyretic, hypotensive, antidiabetic and antioxidant activities (Slowing et al, 1994;Donepudi et al, 2012;Oliveira et al, 2006). Pharmacological studies of Eugenia punicifolia have shown antioxidant activity (Gonzaga et al, 2007;Galeno et al, 2014), beneficial effects in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (Brunetti et al, 2006), increased neurotransmission mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (Granjeiro et al, 2006) and the release of excitatory catecholamines that could be used to treat patients with Alzheimer's disease (Pascual et al, 2012). Recently, Leite et al (2014) investigated the effects of pentacyclic triterpenes obtained from Eugenia punicifolia on the activation of mechanisms influencing skeletal muscle repair and in vivo muscular tissue remodeling.…”