Fruits from Cornus spp. (Cornaceae) species have shown antidiabetic, antibacterial and anti-allergic properties and are thus considered a source of phytochemicals that are beneficial to human health [1] .
The aim of the study was a comparison of the chemical compositions of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from fresh-picked fruits of Cornus mas L.(Cm) and Cornus alba L. (Ca) as well as their α-amylase and pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibitory activities. In order to identify the compounds potentially responsible for the inhibition of pancreatic enzymes the bio-assay guided isolation was conducted.
The chemical compositions of the dogwood extracts and the fractions of the extracts were analayzed by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS. Their effects on digestive enzyme activity were evaluated using an in vitro fluorescence method [2].
Iridoids (loganic acid, cornuside) and anthocyanins (pelargonidin 3-O-galactoside) were identified in the Cm fruit extracts. Flavonoids, such as quercetin and kaempferol derivatives, and phenolic acids were detected in the Ca fruit extracts. The ethanolic extracts of both species inhibited PL activity more significantly than α-amylase activity. The IC50 of ethanolic extracts of Cm and Ca fruits were 15.2 ± 3.9 µg/mL and 25.3 ±2.0 µg/mL, respectively, in the PL assay. The chromatographic separation of the constituents of Ca fruit provided a fraction containing phenolic acids derivatives, which inhibited PL activity by 69.9 ± 4.5% at a concentration of 7.5 µg/mL.
The phytochemical constituents ofCm, and particularly of Ca fruit extracts, can inhibit pancreatic enzymes and thus should be considered effective preparations in the prevention and control of hyperlipidemia related diseases.
Acknowledgements : This project was financially supported by the National Science Centre, Poland (grant No 2016/23/D/NZ7/00958).
References:
[1] Kucharska AZ, Szumny A, Sokół-Łętowska A, Piórecki N, Klymenko SV. J Food Comp Anal 2015;40:95-102.
[2] Buchholz T, Melzig MF. Phytother Res 2016, 30:260-266.