In vitro investigations of the potential health benefits of Australian-grown faba beans (Vicia faba L.): chemopreventative capacity and inhibitory effects on the angiotensin-converting enzyme, α-glucosidase and lipase

Abstract

The functional properties, including antioxidant and chemopreventative capacities as well as the inhibitory effects on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase, of three Australian-grown faba bean genotypes (Nura, Rossa and TF(Ic*As)*483/13) were investigated using an array of in vitro assays. Chromatograms of on-line post column derivatisation assay coupled with HPLC revealed the existence of active phenolics (hump) in the coloured genotypes, which was lacking in the white-coloured breeding line, TF(Ic*As)*483/13. Roasting reduced the phenolic content, and diminished antioxidant activity by 10-40 % as measured by the reagent-based assays (diphenylpicrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity) in all genotypes. Cell culture-based antioxidant activity assay (cellular antioxidant activity) showed an increase of activity in the coloured genotypes after roasting. Faba bean extracts demonstrated cellular protection ability against H₂O₂-induced DNA damage (assessed using RAW264.7 cells), and inhibited the proliferation of all human cancer cell lines (BL13, AGS, Hep G2 and HT-29) evaluated. However, the effect of faba bean extracts on the non-transformed human cells (CCD-18Co) was negligible. Flow cytometric analyses showed that faba bean extracts successfully induced apoptosis of HL-60 (acute promyelocytic leukaemia) cells. The faba bean extracts also exhibited ACE, α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Overall, extracts from Nura (buff-coloured) and Rossa (red-coloured) were comparable, while TF(Ic*As)*483/13 (white-coloured) contained the lowest phenolic content and exhibited the least antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities. These results are important to promote the utilisation of faba beans in human diets for various health benefits.

Phenolics and polyphenolics in foods, beverages and spices: Antioxidant activity and health effects – A review

“…Beans, especially the coloured ones, can be considered an important source of natural antioxidants, hence, a food with potential health benefits (Madhujith & Shahidi, 2005). Siah, Konczak, Agboola, Wood, and Blanchard (2012) found that the crude phenolic extracts obtained from raw and roasted faba beans exhibited potential health-beneficial properties, including potent antioxidant activities (based on both reagent-and cell-based assays), chemopreventative effects (through induction of cancer cell apoptosis), protection against reactive oxygen species, H2O2 and inhibitory effect on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), α-glucosidase and lipase (based on in vitro methods). Xu and Chang (2009) investigated the effects of boiling and steaming under atmospheric and high pressure on the phenolic components and antioxidant properties of pinto and black beans.…”

Bioactive constituents in pulses and their health benefits

“…In human diet, polyphenols have role in prevention of cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress (Manach et al 2004). Siah et al (2012) reported that crude phenolic extracts from raw as well as roasted faba beans had potential health benefit properties such as potent antioxidant activities (based on in vitro and in vivo assays) and chemo-preventative effects. The occurrence of bioactive phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity/radical-scavenging capacity make pulses a very useful food for daily inclusion in the human diet (Zhao et al 2014).…”

Hypocholesterolemic and Anticarcinogenic Effect ofVicia fabaProtein Hydrolyzates

“…However, in the chemopreventive area, reports have shown a reduction in the rate of hepatomas and bladder papillomas induced with dibutylnitrosamine precursors in mice, as well as a moderate protection on the mammary carcinomas induced in rats by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (15). Also, the phenolic content of V. faba extracts (particularly from the hull) has been related to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative potential, as well as with the induction of apoptosis in various cancer cell lines (16). In regard to specific fava proteins, favin, a Bowman-Birk type trypsin inhibitor (VFT1-G1), and other peptidic protease inhibitors have been described to possess antifungal activity and inhibitory effects on the human immunodeficiency virus-1 reverse transcriptase.…”