Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Petroselinum crispum (Mill) Fuss

Aims: To determinate the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of several extracts from the species Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Petroselinum crispum (Mill) Fuss.
Study Design: Collection of plant material, extraction, preliminary phytochemical screening and evaluation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of the plant extracts.
Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Quindío, Colombia, between November 2009 and August 2010.
Methodology: The fruit juice and the leaves ethanolic extract of Passiflora edulis (passion fruit) and the leaves ethanolic extract of Petroselinum crispum (Mill) Fuss (parsley) were assessed in vitro regarding their capacity to inhibit ACE. This enzyme’s activity was determined in serum by the method based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of the Furilacriloil - L - phenylalanyl - glycyl - glycine (FAPGG), by the serum ACE, to Furilacriloil - L - phenyl (FAP) and glycyl – glycine (Gly – Gly). Secondary metabolites families were identified using chemical qualitative assays.
Results: Significant lowering of ACE activity was obtained with Passiflora edulis extracts but not with Petroselinum crispum (P = .05). The fruit juice and the leaves ethanolic extract from passion fruit, as well as the parsley leaves ethanolic extract showed inhibition percentages of 40.0 ± 11.5, 27.4 ± 8.6, and 1.1 ± 11.2%, respectively, by working with 0.1 mg/ml extract concentration in the reaction mixture. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids in the juice and in the Passiflora edulis leaves.
Conclusion: Considerable angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity was found for Passiflora edulis extracts but not for Petroselinum crispum. The results suggest that there are potential ACE inhibiting secondary metabolites in the Passiflora edulis fruit juice and in the ethanolic extract of its leaves, possibly flavonoids, but not in Petroselinum crispum leaves.