Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 November 2013
Introduction. Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme(ACE) is a key component in regulation of blood pressure by virtue ofthe rennin-angiotensin system. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide,angiotensin I, into the potent vasopressor octapeptide, angiotensinII, and inactivates bradykinin, which has a vasodilating action. So,inhibition of ACE has become a major target in control ofhypertension. It is well known that the consumption of fruits couldprovide health benefits by lowering the risk of chronic diseases suchas metabolic syndrome diseases including type 2 diabetes andcardiovascular disease. Our current study was focused on investigatingthe ACE inhibitory property of a few underutilized minor fruits ofWest Bengal using an in vitro assay. Materialsand methods. The potential antihypertensive activity ofunderutilized indigenous edible fruits of West Bengal, India, wasevaluated by their ability to inhibit Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme(ACE). The ACE inhibitory property was assayed using ACE from rabbitlung and hippuryl-histidyl-leucine as the substrate. Nineteen fruitspecies belonging to 15 families were investigated. The percentage ACEinhibitory activities of these fruits were studied at 20 µg freshweight of fruit extract per mL. The total phenol content of all thesefruits was determined following the standard Folin-Ciocalteu method.Total flavonoid content was also measured. Results. Theaqueous fruit extracts of the red variety of Trapabispinosa, Phoenix sylvestris,Cicca acida, Achras sapota andAverrhoa carambola presented more than 75% ACEinhibition. On the other hand, Punica granatum,Spondias pinnata, Trapabispinosa (green) and Ziziphus mauritianashowed about 50% inhibition. Aeglemarmelos, Annona squamosa, Annona reticulata,Feronia elephantum, Physalis peruviana andSyzygium jambos showed low activity (< 50%inhibition). Discussions. To date there has been noreport on Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme inhibitory activities ofthese underutilized minor fruits of West Bengal, India. During ourstudy no correlation could be established between the % ACE inhibitionand the total phenol or flavonoid content of these fruit extracts. So,it appears that non-phenolic components may also be responsible forACE inhibitory activity. In our investigation we tried to establishthe fact that the consumption of these underutilized minor fruitsmight have potential in managing cardiovascular diseases.