In vitro investigation of Sorbus domestica as an enzyme inhibitor

Abstract

Background and Aims: Finding new therapeutic enzyme inhibitors by investigating especially medicinal plants is an important research area. The fruits and leaves of Sorbus domestica (service tree) are used as food and folk remedies due to astringent, antidiabetic, diuretic, antiinflammatory, antiatherogenic, antidiarrhoeal, vasoprotective, and vasorelaxant activities,and also used commercially as a vitamin and antioxidant. In this study, the therapeutic effect of S. domestica against diabetes,Alzheimer’s disease, aging, and hyperuricemia was investigated.Methods: α-Glucosidase, α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), elastase and xanthineoxidase (XO) inhibitory activities of the fruit extract from S. domestica were measured.Results: The extract showed inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, α-amylase, BChE, elastase, and XO whereas AChEinhibitory activity of the extract could not be determined. Moreover, the inhibition effects of the extract against α-glucosidaseand elastase were more effective than the standard drugs acarbose and ursolic acid, respectively.Conclusion: S. domestica can be evaluated as a potential source for a new therapeutic agent.