Abstract
Objective: In this study, determining the urease, chymotrypsin inhibitory and antioxidant activities of seven plants [Dioscorea communis (L.) Caddick & Wilkin, Mentha longifolia (L.) L. subsp. typhoides (Briq.) Harley, Origanum vulgare L., Rubus ulmifolius Schott, Salvia tomentosa Mill., Thymus longicaulis C.Presl subsp. longicaulis, Trachystemon orientalis (L.) D. Don] used as folk medicine in Düzce was aimed.
Material and Method: For this purpose, methanol and water extracts were prepared, then in vitro urease and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities were determined. Antioxidant activities (ABTS, CUPRAC, DPPH), total phenol and flavonoid contents were also determined.
Result and Discussion: While D. communis, O. vulgare, S. tomentosa and T. longicaulis methanol extracts showed moderate urease inhibitory activity (inhibitions between 34.26% and 44.94%), the activity was lower in others. The strongest chymotrypsin inhibitory activities were observed in R. ulmifolius methanol extract and T. orientalis water extract (IC50: 65.32 and 78.65 µg/ml, respectively). In general, the studied plants showed high antioxidant activity in accordance with their high phenol and flavonoid contents. In conclusion, R. ulmifolius and T. orientalis attracted attention with strong chymotrypsin inhibitory activities. More comprehensive studies on the chymotrypsin activity of these plants are required.