ACHE x BCHE x TYR

Papaver species are widely known for their remarkable ability to produce a diverse array of secondary metabolites, notably alkaloids. Among them, P. apokrinomenon stands out as a significant species, yet its chemical profile and biological activities remain unexplored. To address this, extracts using ethyl acetate, ethanol, and a 70/30 ethanol-water mixture were generated through methods such as Homogenizer-assisted extraction (HAE), Maceration (MAC), and Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Various in vitro assays, namely DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, PBD, and metal chelation tests, were utilized for assessing the antioxidant capabilities of these extracts. Furthermore, the extracts of P. apokrinomenon were analyzed for their inhibitory effects on enzymes like cholinesterases (AChE, BChE), tyrosinase, and those involved in diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase). UHPLC-MS/MS analysis detected several alkaloids, including salsolinol, salutaridinol, norcoclaurine, and salutaridine, within the extracts. Findings indicated that the extracts from both 70 % ethanol and ethanol (extracted via MAC and UAE) demonstrated superior radical scavenging, reduction potential, and overall antioxidant function. Moreover, all extraction methods yielded 70 % ethanol and ethanol extracts that showed strong enzyme inhibitory activities across the board. Supporting in silico analyses, such as structure-based docking against AChE, BChE, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase, complemented by 100 ns MD simulations and MM/GBSA calculations, indicated favorable binding energies for pivotal alkaloids against each enzyme, aligning qualitatively with the in vitro enzyme inhibition. These findings propose that P. apokrinomenon could be promising for traditional medicine use and hold potential for development into natural health products, targeting various pharmaceutical-related therapies.

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, and anticholinesterase and anti-tyrosinase activities of the essential oil extracted from the leaves of Piper frustratum Boerl., growing in Malaysia. Nineteen chemical components were identified using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), accounting for 99.6 % of the essential oil. The identified major components include β-caryophyllene (12.6 %), β-asarone (10.7 %), myristicin (10.4 %), α-copaene (9.6 %), methyl eugenol (7.2 %), and β-cubebene (6.5 %). Anticholinesterase activity was assessed using the Ellman’s method, while anti-tyrosinase activity was evaluated against mushroom tyrosinase. The essential oil demonstrated moderate inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (IC 50 value of 84.2 μg/mL), butyrylcholinesterase (IC 50 value of 98.5 μg/mL), and tyrosinase (IC 50 value of 95.4 μg/mL) enzymes. This study is the first to report the chemical composition and bioactivities of the essential oil obtained from P. frustratum , which may have implications on the characterization, pharmaceutical, and therapeutic applications of Piper essential oils.

Understanding the bioactive potential of plant extracts requires detailed evaluations of their chemical composition and bioactivities. This study investigated the chemical profiles, antioxidant properties, and enzyme inhibitory activities of water and methanol extracts of Stachys chasmosericea Ayasligil & P.H.Davis obtained via ultrasound-assisted extraction. The methanol extract displayed significantly higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents compared to the water extract. Chromatographic analysis revealed verbascoside and chlorogenic acid as the dominant compounds in the methanol extract, whereas the water extract contained higher levels of polar compounds like p-coumaric acid. Antioxidant assays demonstrated the methanol extract's superior activity. Conversely, the water extract excelled in metal chelation. RACI values confirmed the methanol extract's overall antioxidant superiority (RACI = 0.65) over the water extract (RACI = -0.65). Enzyme inhibition assays revealed the methanol extract's stronger activity against AChE, BChE, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase whereas the water extract showed weaker inhibition. Both extracts demonstrated potential for managing oxidative stress and enzyme-related disorders but require further in vivo validation. This study highlights S. chasmosericea, particularly its methanol extract, as a promising source of natural antioxidants and enzyme inhibitors. Future research should focus on isolating individual bioactives and exploring their mechanisms of action in biological systems.