Estimation of in vitro neuroprotective properties and quantification of rutin and fatty acids in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) cultivated in Turkey

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, Polygonaceae) is a popular food crop plant from Polygonaceae. In this study, we investigated the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of the seed, stem, and aerial parts of the plant for their neuroprotective effect through acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase inhibitory and antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity was measured using the scavenging activity tests against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylendiamine (DMPD), superoxide, and hydrogen peroxide radicals and the metal-related methods; metal-chelating capacity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and phosphomolibdenum-reducing antioxidant power (PRAP) assays. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were calculated spectrophotometrically. Chemical composition of the seed oil was identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and rutin was quantified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). The extracts were more active against butyrylcholinesterase and highly able to scavenge DPPH. The ethyl acetate extract of the aerial parts and the ethanol extract of the stems displayed a remarkable effect in the FRAP assay. None of the extracts had capacity to chelate the iron. According to LC–MS analysis, the richest plant part in terms of rutin was found to be the aerial parts. GC–MS analysis revealed that the seed oil was dominated by oleic (33.15%), linoleic (31.93%), and palmitic (13.15%) acids.

► In vitro neuroprotective activity of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench was investigated.
► Chemical composition of the seed oil was identified by GC-MS and oleic acid was found to be dominant.
► The aerial parts were found to be rich in rutin content determined by LC-MS.
► The extracts selectively inhibited butyrylcholinesterase in concentration-dependant manner.