Ajiboye_2019_J.Basic.Clin.Physiol.Pharmacol_31_

Background This study evaluates the antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory properties of the n-butanol fraction of Senna podocarpa leaves on alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, arginase, phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5), and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Methods The total phenol and flavonoids, iron (Fe) chelation, and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) free radical scavenging were used to determine the antioxidant activity, and the inhibitory activities of alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase, AChE, BChE, tyrosinase, arginase, PDE-5 and ACE were also assessed. Results The n-butanol fraction of S. podocarpa shows high total phenol and total flavonoid contents. The n-butanol fraction of S. podocarpa leaves also chelates Fe2+ and ABTS radicals. The n-butanol fraction of S. podocarpa leaves also inhibited alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase, AChE, BChE, tyrosinase, arginase, PDE-5, and ACE at the concentration tested. Chromatographic analysis displayed the presence of beta-elemene, phytol and caryophyllene oxide chrysophanol, 3-oxo-methyl ester, alpha-humulene, beta-caryophyllene, rhein, emodin, and alpha-copaene. Conclusions Hence, the n-butanol fraction of S. podocarpa leaves demonstrates encouraging feat in controlling and/or managing cognitive dysfunction such as Alzheimer's disease and also hypertension, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, and hyperpigmentation.