Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, P.O. Box No. 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia.
School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
Molecules. 2022 Jul 30;27(15):4891. doi: 10.3390/molecules27154891.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterised by progressive neuronal atrophy and the loss of neuronal function as a consequence of multiple pathomechanisms. Current AD treatments primarily operate at a symptomatic level to treat a cholinergic deficiency and can cause side effects. Hence, there is an unmet need for healthier lifestyles to reduce the likelihood of AD as well as improved treatments with fewer adverse reactions. Diets rich in phytochemicals may reduce neurodegenerative risk and limit disease progression. The native South American palm acai berry () is a potential source of dietary phytochemicals beneficial to health. This study aimed to screen the nutraceutical potential of the acai berry, in the form of aqueous and ethanolic extracts, for the ability to inhibit acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase (ChE) enzymes and scavenge free radicals via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) or 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assays. In addition, this study aimed to quantify the acai berry's antioxidant potential via hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and the ability to reduce ferric ions. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were also determined. Acai aqueous extract displayed a concentration-dependent inhibition of acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase enzymes. Both acai extracts displayed useful concentration-dependent free radical scavenging and antioxidant abilities, with the acai ethanolic extract being the most potent antioxidant and displaying the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. In summary, extracts of the acai berry contain nutraceutical components with anti-cholinesterase and antioxidant capabilities and may therefore provide a beneficial dietary component that limits the pathological deficits evidenced in AD.
阿尔茨海默病（AD）的特征是神经元进行性萎缩和神经元功能丧失，这是多种病理机制的结果。目前的 AD 治疗主要在症状层面上通过治疗胆碱能缺乏来发挥作用，并且可能会引起副作用。因此，人们需要更健康的生活方式来降低 AD 的发病几率，同时需要更好的治疗方法，且这种方法的不良反应更少。富含植物化学物质的饮食可能会降低神经退行性疾病的风险并限制疾病的进展。原产于南美洲的巴西莓（）是一种有益健康的膳食植物化学物质的潜在来源。本研究旨在以水提物和醇提物的形式，筛选巴西莓的营养保健品潜力，以评估其抑制乙酰胆碱酯酶和丁酰胆碱酯酶（ChE）以及通过 2,2-二苯基-1-苦基肼水合物（DPPH）或 2,2'-联氮-双-3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸（ABTS）测定法清除自由基的能力。此外，本研究还旨在通过过氧化氢或羟自由基清除、一氧化氮清除、脂质过氧化抑制以及还原铁离子的能力来定量评估巴西莓的抗氧化潜力。总多酚和类黄酮含量也进行了测定。巴西莓水提物对乙酰胆碱酯酶和丁酰胆碱酯酶显示出浓度依赖性抑制作用。两种巴西莓提取物均显示出有用的浓度依赖性自由基清除和抗氧化能力，其中巴西莓醇提物是最有效的抗氧化剂，且含有最高的多酚和类黄酮含量。综上所述，巴西莓提取物含有具有抗胆碱酯酶和抗氧化能力的营养保健品成分，因此可能提供一种有益的膳食成分，限制 AD 中出现的病理缺陷。
