In vitro antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of Ethiopian spice blend Berbere

Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2011 Nov;62(7):740-9. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2011.573470. Epub 2011 May 20.

Abstract

The metal chelating activity, antioxidant properties, and the effect on carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes of Ethiopian spice blend Berbere have been investigated. Berbere contains a total amount of phenols corresponding to 71.3 mg chlorogenic acid equivalent per gram of extract and a total flavonoid content of 32.5 mg quercetin equivalent per gram of extract. An increase of the resistance towards forced oxidation was obtained when Berbere was added to sunflower oil. In order to evaluate the bioactivity of the non-polar constituents, an n-hexane extract was obtained from Berbere. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 19 fatty acids constituents (98.1% of the total oil content). Among them, linoleic acid was the major component (72.0% of the total lipids). The ethanolic extract had the highest ferric-reducing ability power (35.4 μM Fe(II)/g) and DPPH scavenging activity with a concentration giving 50% inhibition (IC(50)) value of 34.8 μg/ml. Moreover, this extract exhibited good hypoglycemic activity against α-amylase (IC(50) = 78.3 μg/ml). In conclusion, Ethiopian spice blend Berbere showed promising antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity via the inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzymes. These activities may be of interest from functional point of view and for the revalorization of the spice blend in gastronomy also outside the African country.

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / analysis
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / metabolism
  • Chelating Agents / analysis
  • Chelating Agents / pharmacology*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / analysis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Ethiopia
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Fatty Acids / pharmacology*
  • Ferric Compounds / metabolism
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / analysis
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Linoleic Acid / analysis
  • Linoleic Acid / pharmacology
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Picrates / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Oils / metabolism
  • Polyphenols / analysis
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology*
  • Spices / analysis*
  • Sunflower Oil
  • alpha-Amylases / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Chelating Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Fatty Acids
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Oils
  • Polyphenols
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Linoleic Acid
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
  • alpha-Amylases