The inhibitory potential of Montmorency tart cherry on key enzymes relevant to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The inhibitory potential of Montmorency tart cherry on glycemia regulation and other enzymes relevant to inflammation were evaluated. Tart cherry has superior inhibitory potential against key enzymes associated with carbohydrate digestion linked to hypertension. In particular, α-amylase activity was significantly inhibited (IC50 = 3.46 ± 0.06 mg/ml), whereas we observed mild inhibition of α-glucosidase (IC50 = 11.64 ± 0.65 mg/ml). Angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibition was also strong by about 89%. Tart cherry extract showed strong to moderate inhibitions of cyclooxygenase-1 (65%), lipoxygenase (64%), cyclooxygenase-2 (38%) and xanthine oxidase (26%), respectively. Anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-rutinoside and cyanidin 3-glucoside, were strong inhibitors of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Kaempferol showed relatively potent inhibition on COX and XO. It was revealed that some pairs of metabolites manifest positive or negative interactions against XO enzyme inhibition. Inhibition of all these enzymes provides a strong biochemical basis for management of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease by controlling glucose absorption, reducing associated hypertension and inflammation.