Exploring the α-Amylase Inhibitory Potential of Peronema canescens Jack: An In Vitro and In Silico Study

Abstract

Hyperglycemia in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus is primarily driven by the rapid
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hydrolysis of starch by the enzyme α-amylase in the pancreas and the breakdown of
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oligosaccharides by α-glucosidase in the intestine. Peronema canescens Jack. (PC) has shown
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promise as a potential antidiabetic agent. This study aimed to evaluate the total flavonoid,
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phenolic, and α-amylase inhibitory activity of extracts and fractions derived from PC leaves
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using both in vitro and in silico approaches. The ethanol extract of PC leaves was fractionated
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through liquid-liquid extraction using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water as solvents.
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Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts and fractions identified the presence of
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alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and steroids/triterpenoids. The n-hexane fraction
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exhibited the highest total flavonoid content, averaging 203.37±4.38 mg QE/gram, while the
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ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated the highest total phenolic content, averaging 147.04±0.79
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mg GAE/gram. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest α-amylase
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inhibitory activity, with an average inhibition rate of 70.38±1.26%. In silico analysis,
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combined with GC-MS identification, suggested that three compounds—bis(2-ethylhexyl)
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phthalate, myristyl oleate, and 14 beta H-pregna—may contribute to the observed α-amylase
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inhibitory activity. These findings highlight the potential of PC as a source of natural
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antidiabetic agents.
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Keywords: α-amylase inhibitory activity, in vitro and in silico analysis, natural antidiabetic
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agents, Peronema canescens Jack.,o total flavonoid and phenolic content