%0 Journal Article
%T Catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase B inhibitory activities of Australian bee pollen.
%A Watanabe C
%A Yanagihara A
%A Miyata R
%A Mitsui T
%A Honda C
%A Fujinami D
%A Kumazawa S
%J Biosci Biotechnol Biochem
%V 88
%N 6
%D 2024 May 22
%M 38561637
%F 2.337
%R 10.1093/bbb/zbae041
%X Bee pollen is an apicultural product collected by honeybees from flower stamens and used as a functional food worldwide. In the present study, we aim to elucidate the functions of Australian bee pollen. Australian bee pollen extracts and their main components were tested for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) inhibitory activities. These enzymes are key neurotransmitters involved in Parkinson's disease and depression. Myricetin (5), tricetin (6), and luteolin (7) exhibited high COMT inhibitory activities (half maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 23.3, 13.8, and 47.4 µM, respectively). In contrast, 5, 7, and annulatin (8) exhibited MAOB inhibitory activities (IC50 = 89.7, 32.8, and 153 µM, respectively). Quantitative analysis via high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that 5 was abundant in Australian bee pollen extracts. Our findings suggest that 5 contributes to the COMT and MAOB inhibitory activities of Australian bee pollen.