A comprehensive study on phytochemical characterization of Haplophyllum myrtifolium Boiss. endemic to Turkey and its inhibitory potential against key enzymes involved in Alzheimer, skin diseases and type II diabetes

• Enzyme inhibitory activity of H. myrtifolium has not previously been reported.
• Antioxidant activity of H. myrtifolium has not previously been reported.
• Therefore, this study could also be assumed as the first report for the literature.

The interest of medicinal plants as therapeutic agents against diseases such as Alzheimer, skin disorders and diabetes mellitus is growing. In order to investigate the influence of Haplophyllum myrtifolium, four solvent extracts (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and water) were screened for antioxidant potentials, anti-cholinesterase, anti-tyrosinase, anti-amylase and anti-glycosidase activity. Antioxidant effects were elucidated by different assays including free radical scavenging (ABTS, DPPH and NO assay), reducing power (FRAP and CUPRAC), phosphomolybdenum, β-carotene/linoleic acid system and metal chelating. Total phenolic, flavonoid, flavanol, tannin and saponin contents in these extracts were also calculated. Generally, ethyl acetate extract showed the strongest antioxidant activity in these extracts. This activity may be related to a good total phenolic content. The total phenolic contents of these extracts ranged from 32.32 to 52.50 mg GAEs/g extract. Except for water extract, all extracts showed good inhibitory activities on cholinesterase, tyrosinase, amylase and glycosidase. Apolar extracts (petroleum ether and ethyl acetate) were more potent as enzyme inhibitors in comparison to polar extracts (methanol and water). These findings reveal that H. myrtifolium could be used a source of natural compounds for the management of oxidative damage, Alzheimer, skin disorders and diabetes mellitus.