Anti - ACE activity of seasonal fruits in fluoride toxicity: An in vitro investigation

Abstract

Fluorosis, caused by a chronic exposure to fluoride is a worldwide health problem known to affect various organ systems. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect(s) of extracts of seasonal fruits (Indian goose berry, star fruit, guava and wood apple) on angiotensin- converting enzyme (ACE) activity in the lung extracts exposed to different concentrations of fluoride. The lung extracts showed an increasing ACE activity with increasing concentrations of fluoride (2.5-10ppm) with highest ACE activity at 10ppm of fluoride. A reduction in the ACE activity was observed when the fluoride exposed (10ppm) lung extracts were incubated with fruit extracts; wood apple extract exerted a maximum ACE inhibitory activity (28.9%) followed by star fruit, guava and goose berry (20.1 %,19% and 15.5% respectively). A phytochemical analysis and the antioxidant potential of the fruits indicated that the fruits have a high antioxidant potential that correlated well with phytochemical content (phenols, flavonoids, saponins and ascorbic acid) of the fruits. It is suggested that the consumption of these seasonal fruits could be useful in regulating the ACE activity in fluoride endemic areas.