Identification of Bioactive Compounds and Analysis of Inhibitory Potential of the Digestive Enzymes fromSyzygiumsp. Extracts

Abstract

Diabetes and obesity represent major public health problems worldwide. High cost of medicines and drug treatments propose the research for less expensive alternatives, such as enzymatic inhibitors present in medicinal plants from natural sources. An example of such medicinal plant is the jambolan Syzygium sp., which is referred to be hypoglycemic and efficient in weight loss. With this in mind, we identified the bioactive compounds from Syzygium sp. commercial teas and evaluated the inhibitory potential and the antioxidant activity of digestive enzymes from a simulated gastric fluid. Syzygium sp. samples showed low percentages of enzymatic inhibition at 1 : 200 dilution. Antioxidant activity was significant, although it was not expressive of the contents of total phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, flavones, and alkaloids. Maldi-Tof spectroscopy suggested the presence of luteolin in Syzygium sp. samples. Molecular docking predicted that luteolin binds at the α-amylase catalytic site in a similar manner as acarbose, the carbohydrate inhibitor from the enzyme crystallographic structure. The phytochemical content and biological activity were distinct among samples from commercial teas. Thus, additional studies should be conducted to elucidate efficacy and safety of Syzygium sp. extracts, especially in vivo experiments. Syzygium sp. might be in the near future recommended as a medicinal plant in low cost diabetes and obesity treatments.

Phytochemical Profile, Biological Properties, and Food Applications of the Medicinal Plant Syzygium cumini

“…In a clinical trial, Sahana et al (2010) [125] reported the effectiveness of S. cumini seed dosage by the oral route against diabetes (type 2) with no toxic effects on human subjects. Moreover, research findings supported the antidiabetic activity of S. cumini seeds due to the reduction of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes by the carotenoid luteolin, which binds at the αamylase site and acts as an inhibitor of carbohydrate breakdown similar to acarbose [126]. This mechanism of action and results aligned with previous research studies on antidiabetic potential conducted by Karthic et al (2008) [127] and Ponnusamy et al (2011) [128].…”

Virtual screening based on molecular docking of possible inhibitors of Covid-19 main protease

“…For the understanding of receptor-binder interactions, the study of molecules employing molecular docking has become increasingly relevant to predict bond modes and elucidate experimental results [ 17 ]. Based on this, the molecular docking routines generated values of RMSD ( Root Mean Square Deviation) [ 18 ] and bond-free energy [ 19 ] for complexes formed with variations in RMSD values from 1060 to 1978 Å, and bond-free energy of −6.6 to −4.7 kcal/mol ( Table 1 ).…”

Inhibitory Potential of Synthetic Amino Acid Derivatives against Digestive Enzymes as Promising Hypoglycemic and Anti-Obesity Agents

“…The pancreatic α-amylase inhibition assay was carried out according to Freitas et al [ 19 ] with some modifications. The porcine pancreatic α-amylase (1 mg/mL) was incubated in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.0) containing 10 mM CaCl 2 and 1% starch.…”