Phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and in vitro inhibitory potential against key enzymes relevant for hyperglycemia and hypertension of commonly used medicinal plants, herbs and spices in Latin America.

Abstract

Traditionally used medicinal plants, herbs and spices in Latin America were investigated to determine their phenolic profiles, antioxidant activity and in vitro inhibitory potential against key enzymes relevant for hyperglycemia and hypertension. High phenolic and antioxidant activity-containing medicinal plants and spices such as Chancapiedra (Phyllantus niruri L.), Zarzaparrilla (Smilax officinalis), Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguayensis St-Hil), and Huacatay (Tagetes minuta) had the highest anti-hyperglycemia relevant in vitro alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities with no effect on alpha-amylase. Molle (Schinus molle), Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp), Caigua (Cyclanthera pedata) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) inhibited significantly the hypertension relevant angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE). All evaluated pepper (Capsicum) genus exhibited both anti-hyperglycemia and anti-hypertension potential. Major phenolic compounds in Matico (Piper angustifolium R.), Guascas (Galinsoga parviflora) and Huacatay were chlorogenic acid and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. Therefore, specific medicinal plants, herbs and spices from Latin America have potential for hyperglycemia and hypertension prevention associated with Type 2 diabetes.

• Authors: Lena Galvez Ranilla, Young-In Kwon, Emmanouil Apostolidis, Kalidas Shetty
• Journal: Bioresource technology (Bioresour Technol) Vol. 101 Issue 12 Pg. 4676-89 (Jun 2010) ISSN: 1873-2976 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20185303 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Biphenyl Compounds
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
• Phenols
• Picrates
• 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
• alpha-Amylases
• Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A

Topics

• Animals
• Antioxidants (therapeutic use)
• Beverages (analysis)
• Biphenyl Compounds (metabolism)
• Capsicum (chemistry)
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Enzyme Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
• Hyperglycemia (drug therapy, enzymology)
• Hypertension (drug therapy, enzymology)
• Latin America
• Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A (metabolism)
• Phenols (therapeutic use)
• Phytotherapy
• Picrates (metabolism)
• Plants, Medicinal (chemistry)
• Spices (analysis)
• Sus scrofa
• alpha-Amylases (antagonists & inhibitors)