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Apple Phenolic Extracts Strongly Inhibit α-Glucosidase Activity
Chirle de Oliveira Raphaelli1, Elisa Dos Santos Pereira2, Taiane Mota Camargo2
1Department of Agroindustrial Science and Technology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010-900, Brazil. chirleraphaelli@hotmail.com.
Plant Foods for Human Nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
|July 15, 2019
Summary
Apple phenolic extracts show significant potential for managing type 2 diabetes by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase activity. These findings highlight apples as a natural source for developing treatments for carbohydrate metabolism disorders.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Apple consumption offers known health benefits, but the specific impact of its phenolic compounds on carbohydrate metabolism remains underexplored.
- Understanding the inhibitory effects of apple phenolics on alpha-glucosidase is crucial for managing conditions like postprandial hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the alpha-glucosidase inhibition and antioxidant activity of apple phenolic fractions.
- To identify the specific compounds within apple phenolic fractions responsible for these biological activities using LC-MS analysis.
Main Methods:
- Assessed alpha-glucosidase inhibition and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging) of apple phenolic extracts and fractions.
- Utilized Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) for chemical characterization of the phenolic fractions.
Main Results:
- The purified, unfractionated apple extract exhibited the highest alpha-glucosidase and hydroxyl radical inhibitory activities.
- Specific fractions (III and IV) and the purified extract demonstrated superior alpha-glucosidase inhibition compared to acarbose, a standard diabetes medication.
- LC-MS analysis identified key compounds contributing to the observed biological effects.
Conclusions:
- Apple phenolic extracts possess potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitory properties.
- These findings support the therapeutic potential of apple phenolic compounds in the dietary management of type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders.
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