In vitro inhibitory potential of Amaranthus lividus L. against therapeutic target enzymes

Background and Aims: The search for new enzyme inhibitors in plants is attractive because they can be used as drugs in the treatment of various diseases. Amaranthus spp. (Amaranthaceae) includes about 70 different species, some of which are edible and some of which are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Amaranthus lividus L. is a vegetable whose stems and leaves are used for human consumption in Turkey. Methods: In this study, the in vitro enzyme inhibition potential of A. lividus on [alpha]-amylase, [alpha]-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), elastase, lipase, neuraminidase and tyrosinase was investigated for the first time. For this purpose, water extract of A. lividus was prepared. The tests of enzyme inhibitory activity were carried out by spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods. Results: The water extract showed significant [alpha]-glucosidase and [alpha]-amylase inhibitory activities. Also, it displayed good elastase, lipase and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. However, it exhibited low inhibitory activity on AChE and neuraminidase. Conclusion: The plant and its active constituents may be used as an antidiabetic enzyme inhibitor with future phytochemical constituent analysis. Keywords: [alpha]-Amylase, [alpha]-Glucosidase, Acetylcholinesterase, Elastase, Lipase, Tyrosinase