Biological Activities of Extracts from Different Parts of two Cultivars of Prunus persica ‘Akatsuki’ and ‘Fastigiata’

Abstract

We investigated the antioxidant, anti-lipase and anti-dementia activities of peach ( Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) fruit and its by-products. The ethanol extracts of branch showed relatively high activity in all biological activities. Then, the extract was fractionated, and eight compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction. Results showed 4,2’,4'-trihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone 4'- O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5) and quercetin 3- O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7) as newly identified compounds in P. persica. From the biological investigation, it was considered that quercetin 3- O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7) was the main active compound of antioxidant activity. The main active compound of anti-lipase activity in these was oleanolic acid (1). In addition, (+)-4'- O-methylcatechin (4), 4,2’,4'-trihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone 4'- O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5) and ferulic acid (6) were the main active compounds of anti-dementia activity with acetylcholinesterase inhibitory assay. The results obtained suggested that these active compounds from peach branches of P. persica could be exploited as natural antioxidants, anti-lipase and anti-dementia materials in the future.