Free radical scavenging activity and lipoxygenase inhibition of <it>Mahonia aquifolium </it>extract and isoquinoline alkaloids

• Main Authors: Kettmann Viktor, Kostalova Daniela, Oblozinsky Marek, Rackova Lucia, Bezakova Lydia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2007-07-01
• Series: Journal of Inflammation
• Online Access: http://www.journal-inflammation.com/content/4/1/15

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Roots and stem-bark of <it>Mahonia aquifolium </it>(Oregon grape) (<it>Berberidaceae</it>) are effectively used in the treatment of skin inflammatory conditions.</p> <p>In the present study, the effect of <it>Mahonia aquifolium </it>crude extract and its two representative alkaloid fractions containing protoberberine and bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloids on activity of 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX), was studied. The reactivity with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), a free stable radical, was evaluated to elucidate the rate of possible lipid-derived radical scavenging in the mechanism of the enzyme inhibition.</p> <p>The results indicate that although the direct radical scavenging mechanism cannot be ruled out in the lipoxygenase inhibition by <it>Mahonia aquifolium </it>and its constituents, other mechanisms based on specific interaction between enzyme and alkaloids could play the critical role in the lipoxygenase inhibition rather than non-specific reactivity with free radicals.</p>