Evaluation of the zootherapeutic potential of the oil and skin extract of Darevskia obscura by investigating its in vitro antidiabetic, antioxidant and neuroprotective activities

In this thesis, the antioxidant capacities and inhibitory effects of oil extracts isolated from the body and skin tissues of male and female D. obscura individuals were evaluated against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase enzymes. Additionally, the fatty acid profiles of the extracts were determined and gender-related differences were comparatively analyzed. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH method, with the highest activity observed in the body extract of female individuals (94,22 ± 0,03%). The body extract of male individuals also exhibited similarly high activity (90,63 ± 0,13%). In enzyme inhibition assays, the extracts from male individuals showed significant inhibition against AChE and BChE, while AChE inhibition was not detected in female extracts. Gender-dependent differences were also identified in α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition: the strongest α-amylase inhibition was found in the female body extract, whereas the male body extract exhibited the highest α-glucosidase inhibition. The most potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity was observed in the skin extract of male individuals (99,89 ± 0,08%). Fatty acid analysis revealed that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were higher in males (~65%), whereas monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) were higher in females (~55%). In both sexes, palmitic acid (C16:0) was identified as the predominant saturated fatty acid, and oleic acid (C18:1 ω9) as the major MUFA component. These findings demonstrate that D. obscura biological extracts possess strong antioxidant capacity and significant enzyme inhibitory properties, supporting the potential of this species as a natural source of bioactive compounds.