| Abstract |
We report antioxidant, metal chelating and anticholinesterase activities of methanol extracts from two edible halophytes, Carpobrotus edulis and Arthrocnemum macrostachyum. We also report a preliminary chemical screening, total contents of phenolic compounds in the extracts and the fatty acid profiles of both species. Arthrocnemum macrostachyum is a potential source of metabolites with free radical scavenging, iron (Fe3+) reducing and copper (Cu2+) chelating activities; it had a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (46.5\%), mainly alpha-linolenic and linoleic acids. Carpobrotus edulis had dual anti-cholinesterase activity against both acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Both species had a high content of phenolic compounds. Arthrocnemum macrostachyum is a potential biological source of biochemicals counteracting free radical-induced oxidative damage and also degenerative diseases associated with metabolic stress, such as cancer and neurological disorders. Carpobrotus edulis is a candidate species for future studies on novel and alternative therapies for the treatment of neurological disorders associated with low levels of acetylcholine in the brain. |
