Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus represents a major challenge to global health, characterised by chronic hyperglycemia and various metabolic complications. Those natural α-amylase inhibitors found in medicinal plants provide a promising approach to controlling postprandial glucose levels. Yet there is still very limited scientific evidence regarding the antidiabetic effects of Proboscidea louisianica.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the phytochemical profile and α-amylase inhibitory activity of P. louisianica by means of bioactivity-guided fractionation and analysis using UPLC–ESI–QToF–MS/MS.
Methods: The aerial parts of P. louisianica were treated with ethanol extracts, which were then separated using liquid–liquid partitioning. α-Amylase inhibition was determined using a colorimetric microplate assay and the fraction that was active was analysed by means of UPLC–ESI–QToF–MS/MS.
Results: The fraction consisting of n-butanol exhibits the most potent Alpha-amylase inhibitory activity, in a manner that is dependent on concentration and with an IC₅₀ of 0.17 mg/mL; a biphasic dose–response was observed at higher concentrations. Analysis by UPLC–MS/MS revealed that this active fraction contained a greater number of flavonoid-related metabolites, including derivatives of quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, and apigenin.
Conclusion: The results indicate that P. louisianica exhibits substantial α-amylase inhibitory activity, which may be attributed to its high flavonoid content. These findings support the potential application of this plant as a natural source of antidiabetic agents targeting carbohydrate-digesting enzymes.
Keywords: Proboscidea louisianica; α-amylase inhibition; antidiabetic activity; phytochemical profiling; flavonoids.
| Has the manuscript been published | not published |
|---|---|
| Intend to be published in the IJPS ? | NO |
