In vitro studies on the effect of watercress juice on digestive enzymes relevant to type 2 diabetes and obesity and antioxidant activity

Abstract

Inhibition of enzymes involved in carbohydrate and lipids metabolism is an important strategy against type 2 diabetes and obesity, by suppressing dietary sugar and fat absorption. This work reports, for the first time, the in vitro inhibition of α‐glucosidase, α‐amylase and lipase by watercress juice (WJ). Juice was analyzed for qualitative and quantitative composition and in vitro antioxidant activities. Several components were identified, namely hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, and other minor water‐soluble phytochemicals. Quantitative data revealed a dimer of caffeoylmalic acid (0.73 mg mL−1 of juice), disinapoylgentibiose (0.64 mg mL−1), ferulic acid (0.56 mg mL−1), and isorhamnetin‐O‐sophoroside‐O‐malonyl(hexoside) (0.38 mg mL−1) as the predominant polyphenols. The results showed that WJ had dose‐dependent inhibitory potential against targeted enzymes, displaying a more potent inhibitory effect against α‐glucosidase relative to α‐amylase and lipase. WJ can be considered a potential complementary dietary approach to control hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia, through inhibition of digestive enzymes. Practical applications Currently, raw watercress is widely consumed in liquid form, alone or together with other fresh vegetables, as an ingredient of the “detox juices.” Studies on watercress phenolic composition and antidiabetic properties have been performed on extracts, but not on juice, which is closer to the edible form. The present study supports consumption of watercress juice as source of phytochemicals potentially capable of inhibiting digestive enzymes linked to diabetes and obesity prevention/control.

Postharvest changes in the phenolic profile of watercress induced by post-packaging irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging

“…p-Coumaric acid was identified as the most abundant phenolic compound in the non-stored watercress sample, followed by quercetin-3-O-sophoroside, isorhamnetin-O-hydroxyferuloylhexoside-O-hexoside, isorhamnetin-O-hydroxyferuloylhexoside-O-malonylhexoside, and isorhamnetin-O-sophoroside-O-malonylhexoside. The latter compound was also reported as being dominant in watercress juice by Spínola et al (2016), although those authors identified caffeoylmalic acid, disinapoylgentibiose and ferulic acid as the most abundant phenolics. Grouped flavonoids predominated over phenolic acids and derivatives due to the relatively high levels of isorhamnetin and quercetin glycosides and, in lesser extent, of kaempferol.…”

“…Up to twenty-six compounds were detected (Table 1), seven of which were phenolic acid derivatives, eighteen flavonoids glycoside derivatives, and one sesquiterpenoid (roseoside). Many of these compounds have already been previously reported in watercress (Martínez-Sánchez, Gil-Izquierdo, Gil, & Ferreres, 2008;Santos et al, 2014;Spínola et al, 2016), so that their identities were assumed; in some of them the fragmentation patterns given by Martínez-Sánchez et al (2008), Santos et al (2014), and Spínola et al (2016) were also used to establish the location of the substituents (e.g., peaks 4 and 8). Nonetheless, to the best of our knowledge, compounds 17 and 23-26 were not previously reported for this species.…”

“…has become popular as a fresh-cut product due to the sharp, peppery and slightly tangy taste. This fast-growing semi-aquatic plant of the Brassicaceae family is frequently classed as a superfood or functional food due to the high level of bioactive phytochemicals and health-promoting effects (Spínola, Pinto, & Castilho, 2016;Zeb, 2015). Watercress supplementation in diet has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer in healthy adults, via decreased damage to DNA and possible modulation of antioxidant status (Boyd et al, 2006;Gill et al, 2007), and might be useful in modulating breast cancer progression and disease recurrence (Ravasco, João, Jorge et al, 2015;Ravasco, João, Rowland et al 2015).…”

Watercress-based electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds enhance proliferation and stemness preservation of human adipose-derived stem cells

“…The %AA of WE-loaded PCL-PEG nanofibers in the presence of WE, whencompared with %AA of PCL-PEG nanofibers is high. Several scientific studies have been reported antioxidant activity of WE [36][37][38]. Watercress is a medicinal plant with mainly potent complexing activities due to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and other phytochemicals [39].…”

“…Watercress is a medicinal plant with mainly potent complexing activities due to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and other phytochemicals [39]. Several number of literatures found in the database have shown that the various part of the WE possess antioxidant activity [36][37][38]40]. In a study by Aires and et al [41], phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of WE was evaluated and it was shown that WE possess high antioxidant capacity and this property was extremely related with quercetin-3-Orutinoside, caffeic acid, isorhamnetin and glucosnastrutiin.…”