Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 210-222 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 215 Figure 2 illustrates a comparison of the reducing abilities of kiwifruit oil (Actinidia deliciosa) and standard antioxidants (such as BHA, BHT, and vitamin C) in ferric ion (Fe3+), cupric ion (Cu2+), and Fe3+-TPTZ reduction assays. The figure shows that kiwifruit oil exhibits significant reducing power at different concentrations, though slightly lower than that of the standard antioxidants, it still demonstrates strong antioxidant potential. The results indicate the redox activity of kiwifruit oil, further supporting its application prospects as a natural antioxidant and providing experimental evidence for its potential pharmacological effects. 4.2 Enzyme inhibition Kiwifruit exhibits notable inhibitory effects on several enzymes associated with metabolic illnesses, which contribute to its health-promoting properties. One such enzyme is acetylcholinesterase (AChE), where kiwifruit oil has demonstrated a substantial inhibition effect with an IC50 value of 12.80 µg/mL. AChE is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, and its inhibition can aid in managing such conditions (Ozden et al., 2023). Kiwifruit oil inhibits carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) with an IC50 value of 505.83 µg/mL. This enzyme's inhibition is relevant for conditions such as glaucoma and various metabolic disorders. Moreover, kiwifruit oil also affects α-amylase, an enzyme involved in carbohydrate metabolism, with an IC50 value of 421.02 µg/mL. This inhibition can be beneficial in managing diabetes by reducing the breakdown of starch into glucose (Ozden et al., 2023). Various kiwifruit varieties have also shown inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase, enzymes essential for fat and carbohydrate digestion, respectively. This inhibition can aid in controlling obesity and diabetes (Li et al., 2018; Nie et al., 2020). 4.3 GABAergic mechanism Kiwifruit peel extracts have been shown to exert hypnotic effects through GABAergic pathways. These extracts enhance sleep by modulating the GABAergic system, which serves as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter system in the brain. This mechanism is comparable to the action of GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor agonists, which are commonly used as sedatives and anxiolytics (Ozden et al., 2023). The potential sedative effect of kiwifruit peel extracts suggests that they may influence sleep patterns in a manner similar to these well-known pharmaceutical agents (Kim et al., 2022). Although the specific compounds responsible for these effects in kiwifruit are not yet fully identified, the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolics indicates a possible interaction with GABA(A) receptors. This similarity to benzodiazepine receptor agonists highlights the potential of kiwifruit as a natural alternative for managing sleep disorders (Ozden et al., 2023). Understanding these mechanisms provides insight into the pharmacological benefits of kiwifruit, emphasizing its potential as a functional food with significant health advantages. 5 Case Studies 5.1 Anti-inflammatory effects of kiwifruit extracts Studies have shown that kiwifruit possesses significant anti-inflammatory properties, which have been confirmed in multiple studies. For example, Yuan et al. (2021) investigated the effects of kiwifruit polyphenol extract (KPE) on alleviating gut barrier damage and inflammation induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). The study revealed that KPE improved intestinal permeability by regulating the gut microbiota and inhibiting inflammatory responses, while promoting the expression of tight junction proteins such as Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1. KPE increased the relative abundance of probiotics like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and reduced the numbers of harmful bacteria such as Clostridium and Desulfovibrio. Additionally, KPE decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors like TLR-2, TLR-4, TNF-α, and IL-1β, while increasing the level of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 (Figure 3). The results showed that KPE protected the gut barrier function impaired by HFD through modulating the gut microbiota and inhibiting inflammation, demonstrating its potential role in preventing intestinal damage and related diseases (Yuan et al., 2021). In another study on aspirin-induced gastric mucosal damage in rats, a diet containing green and gold kiwifruit (KF) significantly altered the expression of inflammation-related genes, such as NOS2 and TNF-alpha, demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects (Bentley-Hewitt et al., 2020).
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