Abstract

Rice is produced for consumption and traditional medicine. Rice is also used as an ingredient in cosmetic products. In this study, the author investigated the biological activity and inhibition potential against α-glucosidase, α-amylase and tyrosinase activity of rice extract (black rice [BR], red rice [RR] and white rice [WR]), rice volatile compounds, rice extract combined with volatile compounds, rice extract combined with standard inhibitors and volatile compounds combined with standard inhibitors. The results revealed that the free-radical scavenging capacity of rice extract is related to the phenolic content and flavonoids. BR showed the highest potential to inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase activity, whereas WR showed the highest potential to inhibit tyrosinase activity. Among rice volatile compounds, vanillin and vanillyl alcohol had the highest inhibition potential against α-glucosidase and α-amylase, respectively, whereas guaiacol had the highest inhibitory activity against tyrosinase. Molecular docking supported by the high binding efficiency was also obtained from vanillin and guaiacol when located at the active site of these enzymes. The combination of RR with acarbose (AB) had the highest inhibition potential and showed a synergic effect on both α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Interestingly, the combination of rice extract (BR, RR and WR) and vanillin and vanillyl alcohol had a synergic effect on α-amylase. Moreover, the combination of WR and vanillyl alcohol had the highest inhibition potential and showed a synergic effect on tyrosinase, whereas rice volatile compounds had a synergic effect on tyrosinase obtained from 2-pentylfuran/kojic acid (KA), vanillin/KA and vanillyl alcohol/KA.