Extracts of Maqui ( Aristotelia chilensis ) and Murta ( Ugni molinae Turcz.): sources of antioxidant compounds and α-Glucosidase/α-Amylase inhibitors

J Agric Food Chem. 2011 Mar 9;59(5):1630-7. doi: 10.1021/jf103461k. Epub 2011 Feb 4.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant and antihemolytic activities of crude, aqueous, and organic-aqueous extracts of maqui ( Aristotelia chilensis ) and murta ( Ugni molinae Turcz.), together with their inhibiting effect on enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates. Radical scavenging activity, inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation in a micellar system, antihemolytic activity, and inhibition of α-amylases and α-glucosidases were analyzed. Crude extracts of maqui leaves and fruits were found to be important sources of polyphenolic compounds, showing 69.0 ± 0.9 and 45.7 ± 1.1 mg GAE/g dm, respectively. Polyphenols from maqui leaves were active as antioxidants and antihemolytic compounds (p < 0.05), showing a noncompetitive inhibiting effect on α-glucosidase. Flavan-3-ol polymers and glycosylated flavonols, such as quercetin glucoside and kaempferol glucoside, were tentatively identified in extracts. This preliminary observation provides the basis for further examination of the suitability of polyphenol-enriched extracts from maqui and murta as nutritional or medicinal supplements with potential human health benefits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Chile
  • Elaeocarpaceae / chemistry*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors*
  • Hemolysis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Myrtaceae / chemistry*
  • Phenols / analysis
  • Phenols / pharmacology
  • Placental Lactogen
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Polyphenols
  • alpha-Amylases / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Flavonoids
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
  • Phenols
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyphenols
  • Placental Lactogen
  • alpha-Amylases