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This study was conducted to determine the effects of almond (Terminalia catappa L.) fruit parts (hull and drupe) extracts on key enzymes (arginase, angiotensin‐1‐converting enzyme, α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase) relevant to erectile dysfunction, type‐2 diabetes and hypertension, assess their antioxidant properties and characterize their phenolic constituents. The hull and drupe extracts were prepared by a mixture of absolute methanol and 1N HCl, evaporated to dryness and used for subsequent analysis. The result revealed that the hull and drupe extracts inhibited arginase, angiotensin‐1‐converting enzyme, α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase activities in a dose‐dependent manner. Both extracts scavenged radicals, reduced Fe3+ to Fe2+, chelated Fe2+ and inhibited lipid peroxidation in rat penile homogenate in vitro. Chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid and kaempferol were identified as the major phenolic compounds. This study suggests that these fruit parts can be natural sources of erectogenic, antihypertensive antidiabetic and anti‐oxidative agents. However, the hull showed better potential than the drupe. Practical Applications The results suggest that Almond (Terminalia catappa L.) fruit parts, including the hull and drupe, have potential applications as functional foods and nutraceuticals for both animal and human nutrition. In addition, the hull and drupe could be useful for therapeutic purposes as erectogenic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic and anti‐oxidative agents.

Velvet beans and Horseradish seeds are widely consumed as food, and use in folklore for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction although with limited information on their mechanisms of action. This study investigated and compared the effects of aqueous extracts of these seeds on the cholinergic [acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)] and monoaminergic [monoamine oxidase (MAO)] enzymes and FeSO4‐induced thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) in isolated rat brain homogenate. Results revealed that both extracts inhibited AChE, BChE, MAO and TBARS in a dose‐dependent manner. However, Horseradish seeds extract had higher AChE, BChE and MAO inhibitory abilities with IC50 values of 0.27, 0.18 and 0.14 mg/mL, respectively, relatively to Velvet beans (AChE = 0.39; BChE = 0.39; MAO = 0.29 mg/mL) extract but displayed lower TBARS inhibitory ability. These biological properties of the seeds explain possible mechanisms for their neuroprotective abilities. However, Horseradish seeds showed better promising potentials than Velvet beans seeds. Practical Application Edible seeds are well known for their various health benefits due to their bioactivity. The findings from this study will add valuable preliminary information regarding the potential use of Velvet beans seeds and Horseradish seeds as cheap, natural, alternative and/or complementary sources of antioxidative and neuroprotective agents. The findings will provide scientific evidence on health advantages of these seeds that might result from their consumption; thereby enabling consumers and patients with neurodegeneration to make better choices.

African star apple is a tropical edible fruit that is widely consumed among Nigerians. This present study investigated the antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and antimonoamine oxidase properties of African star apple fruit parts (flesh pulp, seed coat, and back coat) in vitro. The aqueous extracts of different parts were prepared. Thereafter, the effect on cholinesterases (acetylcholinesterase [AChE] and butyrylcholinesterase [BChE]) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities and antioxidant potentials (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl) scavenging abilities and Fe 21 chelation abilities were investigated. Phenolic contents were also assayed for, and HPLC-DAD characterization of the phenolic constituents was carried out. The results revealed that the extracts inhibited AChE, BChE, and MAO activities and exhibited antioxidant properties. Also, there is abundance of caffeic acid, quercetin, chlorogenic acid and cyanidin as revealed by HPLC-DAD. In lieu of these findings, African star apple could be considered a cheap source of antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory compounds relevant in prevention/management of neurodegeneration. Practical applicationThe use of antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antimonoamine oxidase compounds has long been identified as useful therapeutic measures for the management of several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Nevertheless, the several side effects of such synthetic compounds have limited their use and make natural biomolecules with similar therapeutic properties good alternatives. Here, we present the various fruit parts of African star apple as rich sources of antioxidants, as well as cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase inhibitors which could offer tremendous neuroprotective properties especially in the management of neurodegenerative diseases.

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