Olive, boldo, roselle, and rosemary support diet

Olive, boldo, roselle, and rosemary are known plants in folk medicine [1 – 3]. Several phenolic compounds are responsible for their anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, hypolipidemic or hypoglycemic activities [4].

Methanolic extracts of olive leaves (Olea europaea L.), boldo leaves (Peumus boldus Molina), rosemary leaves (Rosemarinus officinales L.), and roselle blossoms (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) showed inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase and α-amylase activity. For the determination of lipase inhibitory activity, an enzymatic in vitro assay based on the hydrolysis of an oleate ester of 4-methylumbelliferone was used (IC₅₀: 36 – 217 µg/mL). The EnzChek^® Ultra Amylase Assay Kit (Molecular Probes™) was used to determine α-amylase activity. IC₅₀ values ranged from 29 µg/mL to 1.53 mg/mL. The activity assays used are fluorescence-based. Flavonoids, anthocyanins, catechins, and other polyphenols don't allow photometric measurements because of high self-absorptions. High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis of the four extracts show which compounds are probably responsible for inhibition of the both enzymes α-amylase and pancreatic lipase.

References:

[1] Da-Costa-Rocha I, Bonnlaender B, Sievers H, Pischel I, Heinrich M. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. – A phytochemical and pharmacological review. Food Chem 2014; 165: 424 – 443

[2] Latté KP. Boldoblätter – Die Blattdroge von Premus boldus Molina. Z Phytother 2014; 35: 40 – 46

[3] El SN, Karakaya S. Olive tree (Olea europaea) leaves: potential beneficial effects on human health. Nutr Rev 2009; 67: 632 – 638

[4] Omar SH. Oleuropein in Olive and its Pharmacological Effects. Scipharm 2010; 78: 133 – 154