In vitro neuroprotective effects of the leaf and fruit extracts of Juglans regia L. (walnut) through enzymes linked to Alzheimer's disease and antioxidant activity


ERDOĞAN ORHAN İ., SÜNTAR İ., AKKOL E.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCES AND NUTRITION, vol.62, no.8, pp.781-786, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 62 Issue: 8
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.3109/09637486.2011.585964
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCES AND NUTRITION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.781-786
  • Keywords: Juglans regia, walnut, cholinesterase inhibition, antioxidant activity, PHENOLIC-COMPOUNDS, TURKEY
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Several extracts of the leaves and fruits of Juglans regia L. were assessed for their neuroprotective effects through antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase methods. Anticholinesterase activity was determined against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), the enzymes vital for Alzheimer's disease, at 50, 100 and 200 mu g ml(-1). Antioxidant activity was tested using radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD), superoxide (SO), nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) radicals, as well as ferric ion-chelating capacity, ferric-and phosphomolybdenum-reducing antioxidant power at 500, 1000 and 2000 mu g ml(-1). Total phenol and flavonoid quantification of the extracts was calculated. The extracts scavenged DPPH radical in varying degrees; however, they did not scavenge DPMD and H2O2. Only the dichloromethane and water extracts were able to quench SO (10.09 +/- 1.38%) and NO (24.09 +/- 2.19%) radicals, respectively, at low level. The extracts showed either low or no BChE inhibition and no AChE inhibition.