US EPA

1452570 

Journal Article 

Evaluation of possible in vitro neurobiological effects of two varieties of Cupressus sempervirens (Mediterranean cypress) through their antioxidant and enzyme inhibition actions 

Tumen, I; Senol, FS; Orhan, IE 

2012 

1 

Türk Biyokimya Dergisi / Turkish Journal of Biochemistry
ISSN: 0250-4685
EISSN: 1303-829X 

37 

1 

5-13 

10.5505/tjb.2012.92400 

WOS:000307443500002 

Objective: The dichloromethane, acetone, ethyl acetate, and
methanol extracts of the cones and leaves of Cupressus sempervirens var. horizantalis (CSH) and
var. pyramidalis (CSP) were investigated for their in vitro neurobiological effects. Methods: The
extracts were screened for their inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE),
butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and tyrosinase (TYRO) enzymes using microtiter plate assays.
Antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)
and N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylendiamine (DMPD) radical scavenging activity, metal-chelation capacity
along with ferric- (FRAP) and phosphomolibdenum-reducing antioxidant power (PRAP) tests. Total
phenol and flavonoid contents of the extracts were calculated spectrophotometrically. Results:
The extracts displayed weak to moderate cholinesterase inhibition at 200 mu g mL(-1). The cone
dichloromethane extract of CSP showed the highest inhibition (36.10 +/- 1.45%) against AChE,
while the best inhibition (40.01 +/- 0.77%) against BChE was caused by the leaf acetone extract
of CSH. Conclusion: Antioxidant activity of the extracts was observed to vary according to the
method used. This is the first study describing anticholinesterase and antityrosinase effects of
the varieties of C. sempervirens. 

Cupressus sempervirens; cypress; cholinesterase; tyrosinase; antioxidant activity