Application of effect‐directed analysis using TLC–bioautography for rapid isolation and identification of antidiabetic compounds from the leaves of Annona cherimola Mill.

Abstract

IntroductionType 2 diabetes mellitus is a globally prevalent chronic disease characterised by hyperglycaemia and oxidative stress. The search for new natural bioactive compounds that contribute to controlling this condition and the application of analytical methodologies that facilitate rapid detection and identification are important challenges for science. Annona cherimola Mill. is an important source of aporphine alkaloids with many bioactivities.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to isolate and identify antidiabetic compounds from alkaloid extracts with α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase inhibitory activity from A. cherimola Mill. leaves using an effect‐directed analysis by thin‐layer chromatography (TLC)–bioautography.MethodologyGuided fractionation for α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase inhibitors in leaf extracts was done using TLC–bioassays. The micro‐preparative TLC was used to isolate the active compounds, and the identification was performed by mass spectrometry associated with web‐based molecular networks. Additionally, in vitro estimation of the inhibitory activity and antioxidant capacity was performed in the isolated compounds.ResultsFive alkaloids (liriodenine, dicentrinone, N‐methylnuciferine, anonaine, and moupinamide) and two non‐alkaloid compounds (3‐methoxybenzenepropanoic acid and methylferulate) with inhibitory activity were isolated and identified using a combination of simple methodologies. Anonaine, moupinamide, and methylferulate showed promising results with an outstanding inhibitory activity against both enzymes and antioxidant capacity that could contribute to controlling redox imbalance.ConclusionsThese high‐throughput methodologies enabled a rapid isolation and identification of seven compounds with potential antidiabetic activity. To our knowledge, the estimated inhibitory activity of dicentrinone, N‐methylnuciferine, and anonaine against α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase is reported here for the first time.