Volume 23, Issue 1, March 2015, Pages 57–62
Open Access
Original Article
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Received 17 March 2014, Revised 13 May 2014, Accepted 10 June 2014, Available online 27 September 2014
- Open Access funded by Taiwan Food and Drug Administration
- Under a Creative Commons license
Abstract
In this study, the antioxidant and antiacetylcholinesterase activities of Sorbus torminalis
(L.) Crantz fruits were evaluated. Total phenolic and flavonoid
compounds, 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothioazoline-6-sulfonic acid),
2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and superoxide anion radicals scavenging
activities and ferric-reducing antioxidant power of water, ethyl
acetate, acetone, and methanol extracts were determined for the
measurement of the antioxidant activity. Quercetin and α-tocopherol were
used as standard antioxidants. The inhibitory effect of the water
extract on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was evaluated using the Ellman
method and galantamine was used as a standard. Water extract had the
highest total phenolic concentration and the strongest antioxidant
activity followed by ethyl acetate and acetone extracts whereas methanol
extract has the lowest phenolics and weakest antioxidant activity.
Moreover, water extract showed moderate ability to inhibit AChE. It was
concluded that fruits of S. torminalis have antioxidant and anti-AChE activities and that the plant might be a natural source of antioxidants and AChE inhibitors.
Keywords
- antiacetylcholinesterase;
- antioxidant activity;
- free radicals;
- Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz;
- wild service tree
1. Introduction
Free radicals can be defined as molecules or molecular fragments containing one or more unpaired electrons in orbitals [1].
The most important class of radical species generated in living systems
is reactive oxygen species, which include superoxide anion (O2–
), hydroxyl radical (OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) [2].
Oxidative stress is a term commonly used to denote the imbalance
between the concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and
the antioxidative defense mechanisms. Such an imbalance plays a pivotal
role in many pathologies such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer,
rheumatoid arthritis, cataract, and Parkinson's diseases [3].
), hydroxyl radical (OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) [2].
Oxidative stress is a term commonly used to denote the imbalance
between the concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and
the antioxidative defense mechanisms. Such an imbalance plays a pivotal
role in many pathologies such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer,
rheumatoid arthritis, cataract, and Parkinson's diseases [3].
Antioxidants
are substances that are capable of inhibiting oxidation. They protect
the key cell components by neutralizing the damaging effects of free
radicals [4].
In plant tissues, many phenolic compounds (in addition to tocopherols)
are potential antioxidants; flavonoids, tannins, and lignin precursors
may work as reactive oxygen species scavenging compounds [5].
Recently, there has been worldwide interest in finding new and safe
antioxidants from natural sources, to prevent oxidative stress and to
minimize oxidative injury of living cells.
Acetylcholinesterase
(AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter
acetylcholine to terminate signaling events across cholinergic synapses,
including those at neuromuscular junctions. Inhibition of AChE serves
as a strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as
Alzheimer's disease [6]. Alzheimer's disease is associated with aging and characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive deterioration [7].
For the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, the molecular basis of the
drugs used to date is as AChE inhibitors. Therefore the search for
sources of effective anti-AChE compounds is extremely important.
Oxidative stress has also been associated with the progression of
Alzheimer's disease [8].
The brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease show a significant
extent of oxidative damage associated with a marked accumulation of
amyloid-β peptide [9].
Some studies suggest that dietary supplements with antioxidants and
free radical scavengers such as vitamin E may display some benefits in
slowing the mild cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's disease [8] and [10].
Sorbus torminalis
(L.) Crantz (Rosaceae) otherwise known as the “wild service tree” is a
medium-sized deciduous tree native to central and southern Europe,
north-western Africa, the Balkan peninsula, Asia Minor, the Crimea,
Caucasus, and Transcaucasia [11] and [12]. The fruits of S. torminalis are used in traditional medicine for treatment of cardiac diseases and its astringet effects [13] and [14]. Also, its fruits are eaten raw [15] as well as consumed as jam, syrups, and wines [16]. In Kırklareli, Turkey, S. torminalis leaves are consumed by boiling, for treatment of diabetes and stomach ache [17].
The antioxidant potential of some Sorbus species such as Sorbus aucuparia, Sorbus domestica, Sorbus aria, etc. has been demonstrated [16], [18], [19], [20] and [21]. However, there is no report about antioxidant activities of water, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol extracts from S. torminalis
fruits. Currently, many natural antioxidants have been investigated for
their inhibitory effect on AChE. In this study, anti-AChE activity of S. torminalis
was examined for the first time. The aim of this study was to assess
the possible antioxidant and AChE inhibitory potential of extracts of S. torminalis fruits.
