Determination of Antioxidant and α–Amylase Inhibition Properties of Alligator Pepper (Aframomum Melegueta): A Potential Therapeutic Against Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by raised levels of blood glucose, which over time leads to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. α-amylase Plays a major role in the digestion of starch and glycogen. Thus, inhibitors of this enzyme delay the breakdown of carbohydrates in the small intestine, thereby diminishing postprandial blood glucose in the diabetic patient. In this study, a DPPH radical scavenging activity and computational approaches were employed to uncover the potential of Aframomum Melegueta phytochemicals against type two diabetes mellitus mainly by molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation, MMPBSA and ADMET analysis. The results show that it has high antioxidant properties. Molecular docking indicates that laurifolin, genkwanin and gulunalactone have good binding scores of -9.9 kcal/mol, -8.9 kcal/mol and -8.2 kcal/mol, respectively. And have interacted with at least two of the catalytic triads of α-amylase; Asp 300, Glu 233 and Asp 197. Molecular dynamic simulation results show that all the compounds are stable at the active site of the enzyme. Furthermore, MMPBSA analysis revealed they bind strongly with the binding energy of -21.77± 1.03 Kcal/mol, -17.82 ± 0.84 Kcal/mol and 15.07± 0.26 Kcal/mol for laurifolin, genkwanin and galanolactone. ADMET analysis indicated that all the ligands are water-soluble, drug-like and safe. This study shows that A. Melegueta extract has antioxidant properties and possess phytochemicals that can be exploited for further anti-diabetic drug development.

Exploring Folklore Ecuadorian Medicinal Plants and Their Bioactive Components Focusing on Antidiabetic Potential: An Overview

“…Another flavone hispidulin confirmed the stimulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 and suppressed hepatic glucose production in STZ-NA-induced diabetic rats [85]. Genkwanin is also a potent antioxidant that is responsible for α-amylase inhibitory activity [86]. A study by Ihim et al (2023) [87] reported that apigenin facilitates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and prevents endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated β-cell apoptosis in the pancreas.…”

“…Stimulates glucagon-like peptide-1 and suppresses hepatic glucose production [85] Genkwanin Flavonoid α-amylase inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity [86] Apigenin Flavonoid…”

Exploring Folklore Ecuadorian Medicinal Plants and Their Bioactive Components Focusing on Antidiabetic Potential: An Overview

“…Another flavone hispidulin confirmed the stimulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 and suppressed hepatic glucose production in STZ-NA-induced diabetic rats [ 102 ]. Genkwanin is also a potent antioxidant that is responsible for α-amylase inhibitory activity [ 103 ]. A study by Ihim et al (2023) [ 104 ] reported that apigenin facilitates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and prevents endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated β-cell apoptosis in the pancreas.…”

“…The phenylpropene, namely, estragole (methyl chavicol), acts as an enzyme inhibitor against α-amylase, lipase, and tyrosinase and serves as a potent antioxidant agent that can improve diabetes [ 127 , 128 ]. This bioactive compound is also found in Foeniculum vulgare [ 103 ]. n-Hexacosane is a natural alkane that improves blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance, glycated hemoglobin, and liver glycogen [ 129 ] found in Physalis peruviana [ 118 ].…”

“…n-Hexadecanoic acid Fatty acid α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity [122] Ellagic acid Phenol α-amylase inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity, stimulate insulin secretion and decrease glucose intolerance [134] 2-Heptadecenal Aldehyde α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity [124] Baccharis genistelloides Cirsimaritin Flavonoid Reduces elevated levels of serum glucose in diabetic rats and abrogates the increase in serum insulin [100] Cirsiliol Flavonoid Hypoglycaemic effect [101] Hispidulin Flavonoid Stimulates glucagon-like peptide-1 and suppresses hepatic glucose production [102] Genkwanin Flavonoid α-amylase inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity [103] Apigenin Flavonoid Facilitates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and prevents ER stress-mediated β-cell apoptosis in the pancreas [104] Bryophyllum gastonis-bonnieri…”