Potentilla fulgens Wall ex Sims. exerts anti-diabetic effects by inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase: deeper insights through molecular docking

Abstract

Potentilla fulgens Wall ex Sims., a local medicinal plant used by the Khasi tribe of Meghalaya, India, has been reported to be rich in tannins, polyphenols, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. Although several studies have been conducted on its antidiabetic and anti-oxidant properties, most reports were done with crude polar extracts. In this study, we report the inhibitory effect of the non-polar chloroform extract of P. fulgens (NPFE) on α- amylase and α- glucosidase. The extract exhibited a potent antioxidant effect comparable to the reference standard as reflected by the IC50 values in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Further, the antihyperglycemic action of NPFE was observed in alloxan-induced diabetic mice from the Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test (IPGTT). Spectral and chromatographic analysis using FTIR and GC-MS/MS showed the presence of important functional groups and bioactive compounds. In silico molecular docking of the identified bioactive compounds carried out against α-amylase and α-glucosidase provided more insights into its antihyperglycemic properties.