Antioxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase properties of Fragaria × ananassa and Actinidia deliciosa: A comparative study towards neuroprotective applications

Neurodegenerative diseases pose a significant global health challenge, with oxidative stress, inflammation, and reduced cholinergic neurotransmission being key pathological mechanisms. While Fragaria × ananassa (strawberry) and Actinidia deliciosa (kiwifruit) are recognised for their health benefits, a direct comparative evaluation of their specific anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, a critical neuroprotective mechanism is currently lacking. This study comparatively evaluates the neuroprotective potential of these fruit extracts by examining their phytochemical profiles and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and AChE activities. Qualitative analysis confirmed a richer phytochemical profile in strawberry extract. However, kiwifruit consistently demonstrated consistently superior performance across the functional assays, showing greater total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and more potent anti-inflammatory effects (83% inhibition of hemolysis vs. 73% for strawberry). Critically, a significant finding was the prominent anti-AChE activity in both extracts, with kiwifruit exhibiting a highly potent inhibitory effect (75% inhibition), substantially surpassing the inhibition demonstrated by the strawberry extract (25% inhibition). These comparative results underscore that both fruits are valuable sources of neuroprotective compounds, with kiwifruit extract showing a distinct advantage in both antioxidant strength and specific anti-AChE potential, suggesting a promising application in managing