Investigation of the Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and Methylglyoxal Trapping Effect of Galega officinalis L. Herb In Vitro

Abstract

Galega officinalis L. has been known for centuries as an herbal medicine used to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes, but its comprehensive chemical composition and pharmacological activity are still insufficiently known. The current study involved the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis and in vitro evaluation of the antioxidative and methylglyoxal (MGO) trapping properties of galega herb. Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with both the electrospray ionization mass spectrometer and diode-array detector (UHPLC-ESI-MS and UHPLC-DAD) were used to investigate the composition and evaluate the anti-MGO capability of extracts and their components. Hot water and aqueous methanol extracts, as well as individual compounds representing phytochemical groups, were also assessed for antioxidant activity using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)hydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays. Quercetin and metformin were used as a positive control. We confirmed the presence of tricyclic quinazoline alkaloids, guanidines, flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) in galega extracts. The polyphenolic fraction was dominated by mono-, di-, and triglycosylated flavonols, as well as monocaffeoylhexaric acids. The in vitro tests indicated which G. officinalis components exhibit beneficial antioxidative and MGO trapping effects. For galega extracts, flavonols, and HCAs, a potent antiradical activity was observed. The ability to trap MGO was noted for guanidines and flavonoids, whereas HCA esters and quinazoline alkaloids were ineffective. The formation of mono-MGO adducts of galegine, hydroxygalegine, and rutin in the examined water infusion was observed.

Potential of Vasoprotectives to Inhibit Non-Enzymatic Protein Glycation, and Reactive Carbonyl and Oxygen Species Uptake

“…Two peaks appeared on the chromatogram with pseudomolecular ions of 667 characterized by retention times of 8.09 and 8.41 min, and since their masses were greater than that of rutin by the mass of a single glyoxal molecule, they were further characterized as mono-GO-rutin adducts ( Table 3 ). The ability of rutin to trap methylglyoxal has been previously reported in several studies [ 58 , 59 ]. Mass spectra of the adducts formed by rutin and MGO/GO and proposed chemical structures are shown in Figure 4 .…”

Metabolic Heterogeneity of Brain Tumor Cells of Proneural and Mesenchymal Origin

“…We performed several studies with approved drugs that target tumor metabolism including metformin [ 11 , 12 ]. Metformin is an approved drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and a synthetic derivate of galegine/guanidine, which was originally found in the traditional herbal medicine Galega officinalis (also known as goat’s rue) [ 13 ]. In line with differences in invasion capacity among BTIC subtypes, we observed different responses to metabolic drugs [ 12 ].…”

Aspalathin and Other Rooibos Flavonoids Trapped α-Dicarbonyls and Inhibited Formation of Advanced Glycation End Products In Vitro

“…The final step was to identify the adducts formed as a result of trapping and propose the potential structures formed, as well as to demonstrate how structural differences in flavonoid compounds affect trapping ability. Our previous research included the study of flavonoid O -glycosides (e.g., rutin, isoquercitrin, and hyperoside) in this regard, while in this work we focused on C -glycosidic compounds [ 47 , 48 , 49 ].…”