Phytochemical screening of Nepeta cataria extracts and their in vitro inhibitory effects on free radicals and carbohydrate-metabolising enzymes

Nat Prod Res. 2012;26(23):2196-8. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2011.635342. Epub 2011 Nov 21.

Abstract

This research was performed to investigate in vitro the biological activities of successive as well as 70% ethanol extracts of Nepeta cataria on some biochemical parameters including oxidative markers and carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzyme activities (α-amylase, β-galactosidase and α-glucosidase). Powdered N. cataria and its successive extracts were screened for their phytochemical constituents. Tests for tannins, carbohydrates, glycosides and flavonoids were positive in ethanolic extract, but those for steroids and terpenoids were positive in petroleum ether and chloroform extracts. Also, different extracts were chromatographically investigated. The results obtained demonstrated that different successive extracts of N. cataria exhibited an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress indices and carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes. It is observed that 70% ethanol, petroleum ether and chloroform extracts showed, respectively, the most potent inhibitory activities, while ethyl acetate and ethanol successive extracts appeared with moderate or low reducing activities.

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism
  • Carbohydrates / analysis
  • Chloroform / chemistry
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Ethanol / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
  • Hydrolysis
  • Nepeta / chemistry*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / analysis
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Tannins / analysis
  • alpha-Amylases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • alpha-Amylases / metabolism
  • alpha-Glucosidases / metabolism
  • beta-Galactosidase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • beta-Galactosidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Carbohydrates
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Flavonoids
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tannins
  • Ethanol
  • Chloroform
  • alpha-Amylases
  • alpha-Glucosidases
  • beta-Galactosidase