In vitro and computational studies of the antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties of Bridelia ferruginea

Abstract

The leaves, stem and root bark of Bridelia ferruginea were sequentially extracted with solvents of increasing polarity to yield the hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and aqueous extracts. In vitro analysis revealed the ability of the extracts to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) and hydroxyl radical. They also inhibited the activities of α-glucosidase, α-amylase and lipase enzymes. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopic (GC-MS) analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of sterols, aromatics, aliphatic acids and esters. The identified compounds were molecularly docked with α-glucosidase, α-amylase and lipase enzymes. All compounds showed good binding affinities with the enzymes studied. The strongest binding affinities were observed for β-amyrin, 4-phenylbenzophenone and lupenone for α-glucosidase, α-amylase and lipase enzymes, respectively. The data suggest antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of the different parts of B. ferruginea, with the leaves having the highest potential. These properties can be explored for development of novel anti-diabetic drugs.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Keywords:

• β-Amyrin
• lupenone
• 4-phenylbenzophenone
• Bridelia ferruginea
• Type 2 diabetes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to appreciate the Research office, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban and the National Research Foundation (NRF) and NRF-Third Worlad Academy of Science (NRF-TWAS), Pretoria, South Africa for funding this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest in this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Research Office, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban; National Research Foundation (NRF) and the National Research Foundation–the World Academy of Science (NRF-TWAS), Pretoria, South Africa.