Abstract

Sunanda Sabbithi* and Narendra Babu Ankem

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the in vitro and in silico anti-diabetic activity of Helicteres isora. GC-MS technique identified 14 compounds from the methanol extract, 1-Butanol, 3-methyl-, formate, d-Mannose, β-Acorenol, 3-O-Methyl-d-glucose, Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, n-Hexadecanoic acid, Phytol, E-8- Methyl-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate, Hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester, Campesterol, Stigmasterol, γ-Sitosterol and Lupeol. The antidiabetic potential was assessed through α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assays. The crude extract demonstrated the most potent inhibition (IC50 = 179.72 And 143.84μg/mL for α-glucosidase and α-amylase respectively) suggesting its potential for managing postprandial hyperglycaemia. In silico studies employed molecular docking and dynamics simulations to elucidate the interactions between identified compounds and α-amylase/α-glucosidase enzymes. The results revealed promising binding affinities between the compounds and target enzymes, with γ-Sitosterol demonstrating the highest predicted inhibitory activity with −8.1 kcal/mol. This study highlights the presence of diverse bioactive compounds in methanolic extract of Helicteres isora (MEHI). The extract exhibits its potential as a complementary therapeutic approach for managing hyperglycaemia associated with type 2 diabetes.