Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, and Molecular Profiling of Selected Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Natural products have been the center of attraction ever since they were discovered. Among them, plant-based natural products were popular as analgesics, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cosmetics and possess widespread biotechnological applications. The use of plant products as cosmetics and therapeutics is deep-rooted in Nepalese society. Although there are few ethnobotanical studies conducted, extensive research of these valuable medicinal plants has not been a priority due to the limitation of technology and infrastructure. Here, we selected 4 traditionally used medicinal plants to examine their bioactive properties and their enzyme inhibition potential. α-Glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities were investigated using an in vitro model followed up by antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The present study shows that ethyl acetate fraction of Melastoma melabathrium (IC50 9.1 ± 0.3 µg/mL) and water fraction Acacia catechu (IC50 9.0 ± 0.6 µg/mL) exhibit strong α-glucosidase inhibition. Likewise, the highest α-amylase inhibition was shown by crude extracts of Ficus religiosa (IC50 29.2 ± 1.2 µg/mL) and ethyl acetate fractions of Shorea robusta (IC50 69.3 ± 1.1 µg/mL), and the highest radical scavenging activity was shown by F. religiosa with an IC50 67.4 ± 0.6 µg/mL. Furthermore, to identify the metabolites within the fractions, we employed high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and annotated 17 known metabolites which justify our assumption on activity. Of 4 medicinal plants examined, ethyl acetate fraction of S. robusta, ethyl acetate fraction of M. melabathrium, and water or ethyl acetate fraction of A. catechu extracts illustrated the best activities. With our study, we set up a foundation that provides authentic evidence to the community for use of these traditional plants. The annotated metabolites in this study support earlier experimental evidence towards the inhibition of enzymes. Further study is necessary to explore the clinical efficacy of these secondary molecules, which might be alternatives for the treatment of diabetes and pathogens.

Phytochemical Analysis and α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity of Young and Mature Leaves of Cinnamomum tamala

“…The phytochemicals obtained from C. tamala are shown in Table 2 that was compared with the previously reported study and found similar phytochemical profiling [43]. Our findings exhibited that methanolic extracts have the higher TPC and TFC relative to ethanolic extracts as seen in [44]. Phenolics and flavonoids compounds such as quercetin, ferulic acid, anthocyanins, catechin, and resveratrol are the reason behind controlling glycemia via α-glucosidase, αamylase, and lipid peroxidation inhibition, insulin secretion, and accelerating glucose uptake [45,46].…”

Chemical Fingerprinting, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Hydroethanolic Extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum

“…The production of free radicals at the inflammatory site is one of the major mechanisms of tissue damage produced by several inflammatory disorders [ 11 , 12 ]. Activated neutrophil infiltration to the inflammatory sites is a significant source of proinflammatory mediators and oxygen-derived free radicals, which induces inflammatory reactions [ 83 ].…”

“…Several human diseases, including cardiac disorders, diabetes, cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases, are exacerbated or triggered by oxidative damage to these biological molecules [ 11 ]. Plant-derived natural products, particularly polyphenolics, and related antioxidant phytochemicals have a diverse range of bioactivities, including anti-inflammation, owing to their ability to quench and alleviate oxidative stress in biological systems, thus restoring health [ 12 ]. As a result, the latest research focus has switched towards plant-based natural products as one of the most encouraging sources of curative agents of inflammation and pain [ 13 ].…”

Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of Extracts from Bergenia ciliata, Mimosa pudica, and Phyllanthus emblica

“…Then, the percentage yield was calculated using the dry weight of extract and the dry weight of powder soaked in methanol. The secondary extracts were prepared by dissolving the primary extract in water and then fractionated with different solvents such as hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate based on increased polarity [ 18 ]. The percentage yield was calculated by the given formula: …”