Potent α-glucosidase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors from Artemisia capillaris

Flavonoids as dual-target inhibitors against α-glucosidase and α-amylase: a systematic review of in vitro studies

Diabetes mellitus remains a major global health issue, and great attention is directed at natural therapeutics. This systematic review aimed to assess the potential of flavonoids as antidiabetic agents by investigating their inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase and α-amylase, two key enzymes involved in starch digestion. Six scientific databases (PubMed, Virtual Health Library, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and WHO Global Index Medicus) were searched until August 21, 2022, for in vitro studies reporting IC50 values of purified flavonoids on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, along with corresponding data for acarbose as a positive control. A total of 339 eligible articles were analyzed, resulting in the retrieval of 1643 flavonoid structures. These structures were rigorously standardized and curated, yielding 974 unique compounds, among which 177 flavonoids exhibited inhibition of both α-glucosidase and α-amylase are presented. Quality assessment utilizing a modified CONSORT checklist and structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis were performed, revealing crucial features for the simultaneous inhibition of flavonoids against both enzymes. Moreover, the review also addressed several limitations in the current research landscape and proposed potential solutions. The curated datasets are available online at https://github.com/MedChemUMP/FDIGA .

Separation of Antioxidants from Trace Fraction of Ribes himalense via Chromatographic Strategy and Their Antioxidant Activity Supported with Molecular Simulations

Antioxidants from natural sources have long been of interest to researchers. In this paper, taking the traditional Tibetan medicine Ribes himalense as an example, an integrated approach was used to identify and isolate its chemical composition with free-radical-scavenging properties from its ethanol extract. First, the ethanol extract of Ribes himalense was pretreated using polyamide medium-pressure liquid chromatography (polyamide-MPLC), and the target fraction (Fr4) was obtained. Then, a combined HPLC mode was utilized to purify antioxidants in Fr4 under the guidance of an online HPLC-1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (HPLC-DPPH) activity screening system. Finally, three antioxidants (3-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester, rutin, and myricetin-3'-α-L-rhamnopyranoside) were isolated, and this is the first report of their presence in R. himalense. Further molecular docking studies showed that the antioxidants exhibited good binding with HO-1, Nrf2, and iNOS. In conclusion, this comprehensive approach is capable of extracting high-purity antioxidants from trace fractions of Ribes himalense and holds promise for future applications in the exploration of the chemical compositions and bioactivity of natural products.

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-enzymatic properties of Alpinia coriandriodora (sweet ginger) rhizome

Alpinia coriandriodora, also known as sweet ginger, is a medicinal and edible plant. A. coriandriodora rhizome is popularly utilized in traditional Chinese medicine and as flavouring spices, but there are few reports on its constituents and bioactivities. This study analyzed the phytochemical components of A. coriandriodora rhizome by GC-MS and UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS and evaluated its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-enzymatic properties. According to the GC-FID/MS data, its rhizome essential oil (EO) consisted mainly of (E)-2-decenal (53.8%), (E)-2-decenyl acetate (24.4%), (Z)-3-dodecenyl acetate (3.5%), and (E)-2-octenal (3.5%). Its water extract (WE) and 70% ethanol extract (EE) showed high total phenolic content (TPC, 52.99-60.49 mg GAEs/g extract) and total flavonoid content (TFC, 260.69-286.42 mg REs/g extract). In addition, the phytochemicals of WE and EE were further characterized using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS, and a total of sixty-three compounds were identified, including fourteen phenolic components and twenty-three flavonoid compounds. In the antioxidant assay, WE and EE revealed a potent scavenging effect on DPPH (IC50: 6.59 ± 0.88 mg/mL and 17.70 ± 1.15 mg/mL, respectively), surpassing the BHT (IC50: 21.83 ± 0.89 mg/mL). For the antimicrobial activities, EO displayed excellent antibacterial capabilities against Proteus vulgaris, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus with DIZ (12.60-22.17 mm), MIC (0.78-1.56 mg/mL), and MBC (3.13 mg/mL) and significantly inhibited Aspergillus flavus growth (MIC = 0.313 mg/mL, MFC = 0.625 mg/mL, respectively). In addition to weak tyrosinase and cholinesterase inhibition, EE and WE had a prominent inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase (IC50: 0.013 ± 0.001 mg/mL and 0.017 ± 0.002 mg/mL), which was significantly higher than acarbose (IC50: 0.22 ± 0.01 mg/mL). Hence, the rhizome of A. coriandriodora has excellent potential for utilization in the pharmaceutical and food fields as a source of bioactive substances.

Antihyperglycemic potential of the Lavandula stoechas aqueous extract via inhibition of digestive enzymes and reduction of intestinal glucose absorption

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a widespread metabolic disorder affecting global populations. Lavandula stoechas from Moroccan traditional medicine is used for its potential anti-diabetic effects.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the antihyperglycemic impact of the aqueous extract of L. stoechas (AqLs) and explore its mechanisms.

METHODS

The study employed a glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on normal and diabetic Wistar rats, administering AqLs at 150 mg/kg. In vitro, AqLs was tested against α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, confirmed in vivo using normal and Allx-diabetic rats. The extract's impact on intestinal d-glucose absorption was assessed using the jejunum segment perfusion technique at 250 mg/kg in situ. Albino mice were used to assess toxicity.

RESULTS

AqLs significantly reduced postprandial hyperglycemia (P < 0.001) due to glucose overload. It inhibited pancreatic α-amylase (IC50: 0.485 mg/mL) and intestinal α-glucosidase (IC50: 168 µg/mL) in vitro. Oral AqLs at 150 mg/kg reduced hyperglycemia induced by sucrose and starch in normal and diabetic rats. It also lowered (P < 0.001) intestinal glucose absorption in situ at 250 mg/kg. Oral acute toxicity tests on Albino mice indicated no adverse effects at different doses.

CONCLUSION

to summarize, L. stoechas has evident antihyperglycemic effects attributed to inhibiting intestinal glucose absorption and key monosaccharide digestion enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase.

Potential use of the Asteraceae family as a cure for diabetes: A review of ethnopharmacology to modern day drug and nutraceuticals developments

The diabetes-associated mortality rate is increasing annually, along with the severity of its accompanying disorders that impair human health. Worldwide, several medicinal plants are frequently urged for the management of diabetes. Reports are available on the use of medicinal plants by traditional healers for their blood-sugar-lowering effects, along with scientific evidence to support such claims. The Asteraceae family is one of the most diverse flowering plants, with about 1,690 genera and 32,000 species. Since ancient times, people have consumed various herbs of the Asteraceae family as food and employed them as medicine. Despite the wide variety of members within the family, most of them are rich in naturally occurring polysaccharides that possess potent prebiotic effects, which trigger their use as potential nutraceuticals. This review provides detailed information on the reported Asteraceae plants traditionally used as antidiabetic agents, with a major focus on the plants of this family that are known to exert antioxidant, hepatoprotective, vasodilation, and wound healing effects, which further action for the prevention of major diseases like cardiovascular disease (CVD), liver cirrhosis, and diabetes mellitus (DM). Moreover, this review highlights the potential of Asteraceae plants to counteract diabetic conditions when used as food and nutraceuticals. The information documented in this review article can serve as a pioneer for developing research initiatives directed at the exploration of Asteraceae and, at the forefront, the development of a botanical drug for the treatment of DM.

Umbelliferon: a review of its pharmacology, toxicity and pharmacokinetics

Coumarin, a plant secondary metabolite, has various pharmacological activities, including antioxidant stress and anti-inflammatory effects. Umbelliferone, a common coumarin compound found in almost all higher plants, has been extensively studied for its pharmacological effects in different disease models and doses with complex action mechanisms. This review aims to summarize these studies and provide useful information to relevant scholars. The pharmacological studies demonstrate that umbelliferone has diverse effects such as anti-diabetes, anti-cancer, anti-infection, anti-rheumatoid arthritis, neuroprotection, and improvement of liver, kidney, and myocardial tissue damage. The action mechanisms of umbelliferone include inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, improvement of insulin resistance, myocardial hypertrophy, and tissue fibrosis, in addition to regulation of blood glucose and lipid metabolism. Among the action mechanisms, the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation is the most critical. In short, these pharmacological studies disclose that umbelliferone is expected to treat many diseases, and more research should be conducted.

Natural products targeting inflammation-related metabolic disorders: A comprehensive review

Currently, the incidence of metabolic disorders is increasing, setting a challenge to global health. With major advancement in the diagnostic tools and clinical procedures, much has been known in the etiology of metabolic disorders and their corresponding pathophysiologies. In addition, the use of in vitro and in vivo experimental models prior to clinical studies has promoted numerous biomedical breakthroughs, including in the discovery and development of drug candidates to treat metabolic disorders. Indeed, chemicals isolated from natural products have been extensively studied as prospective drug candidates to manage diabetes, obesity, heart-related diseases, and cancer, partly due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Continuous efforts have been made in parallel to improve their bioactivity and bioavailability using selected drug delivery approaches. Here, we provide insights on recent progress in the role of inflammatory-mediated responses on the initiation of metabolic disorders, with particular reference to diabetes mellitus, obesity, heart-related diseases, and cancer. In addition, we discussed the prospective role of natural products in the management of diabetes, obesity, heart-related diseases, and cancers and provide lists of potential biological targets for high throughput screening in drug discovery and development. Lastly, we discussed findings observed in the preclinical and clinical studies prior to identifying suitable approaches on the phytochemical drug delivery systems that are potential to be used in the treatment of metabolic disorders.

Gochnatia glutinosa (D.Don) D.Don ex Hook. & Arn.: A plant with medicinal value against inflammatory disorders and infections

Gochnatia glutinosa is a shrub that grown in the Argentinean semiarid region (Monte region) used in the ancestral medicine as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. This study was aimed to examine the morpho-anatomical characteristics of G. glutinosa aerial parts, identify the chemical composition of traditionally used preparations to assess its pharmacobotanical characterization and evaluate its activity as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory to give scientific support to its traditional uses. G. glutinosa morpho-anatomical description was performed following standard histological techniques. Tincture and infusion of its aerial parts were prepared and were subjected to phytochemical analysis. Xanthine oxidase (XOD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition experiments, as well as ABTS^•+, superoxide radical, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, were carried out. The growth inhibition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains was also determined. The morpho-anatomical traits of G. glutinosa leaves and stems were reported for the first time. The medicinal preparations exhibited a large amount of phenolic chemicals mainly flavonoids such as rhamnetin, arcapillin, rhamnacin, hesperetin, isorhamnetin, centaureidin, europetin 7-O-mehylmyricetin, cirsiliol, sakuranetin, genkwanin and eupatorine and also phenolic acids and diterpenoid derivatives. Both preparations had free radical scavenging activity and were able to reduce both XOD and LOX activity, indicating their anti-inflammatory properties. Besides, tincture was effective against all MRSA strains (MIC values ranging from 60 to 240 g DW/mL). The results obtained in this work scientifically support the medicinal popular use of G. glutinosa as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. The identification of bioactive compounds and their morpho-anatomical description contribute to the quality control of this medicinal plant from Argentine Calchaquí Valley.

Bio-Actives from Natural Products with Potential Cardioprotective Properties: Isolation, Identification, and Pharmacological Actions of Apigenin, Quercetin, and Silibinin

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. As a result, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions modifying risk factors for CVDs are a top priority of scientific research. Non-pharmaceutical therapeutical approaches, including herbal supplements, have gained growing interest from researchers as part of the therapeutic strategies for primary or secondary prevention of CVDs. Several experimental studies have supported the potential effects of apigenin, quercetin, and silibinin as beneficial supplements in cohorts at risk of CVDs. Accordingly, this comprehensive review focused critically on the cardioprotective effects/mechanisms of the abovementioned three bio-active compounds from natural products. For this purpose, we have included in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies associated with atherosclerosis and a wide variety of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, cardiac injury, and metabolic syndrome). In addition, we attempted to summarize and categorize the laboratory methods for their isolation and identification from plant extracts. This review unveiled many uncertainties which are still unexplored, such as the extrapolation of experimental results to clinical practice, mainly due to the small clinical studies, heterogeneous doses, divergent constituents, and the absence of pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic analyses.

Role of polyphenols in combating Type 2 Diabetes and insulin resistance

Compromised carbohydrate metabolism leading to hyperglycemia is the primary metabolic disorder of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Reformed digestion and altered absorption of carbohydrates, exhaustion of glycogen stock, enhanced gluconeogenesis and overproduced hepatic glucose, dysfunction of β-cell, resistance to insulin in peripheral tissue, and impaired insulin signaling pathways are essential reasons for hyperglycemia. Although oral anti-diabetic drugs like α-glucosidase inhibitors, sulfonylureas and insulin therapies are commonly used to manage Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and hyperglycemia, natural compounds in diet also play a significant role in combating the effect of diabetes. Due to their vast bioavailability and anti-hyperglycemic effect with least or no side effects, polyphenolic compounds have gained wide popularity. Polyphenols such as flavonoids and tannins play a significant role in carbohydrate metabolism by inhibiting key enzymes responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates to glucose like α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Several polyphenols such as resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and quercetin enhanced glucose uptake in the muscle and adipocytes by translocating GLUT4 to plasma membrane mainly by the activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. This review provides an insight into the protective role of polyphenols in T2D, highlighting the aspects of insulin resistance.

In vitro α-glucosidase inhibition by Brazilian medicinal plant extracts characterised by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

Aiming at finding natural sources of antidiabetics agents, 15 extracts from Brazilian medicinal plants of the Atlantic Forest and Amazon region were tested against α-glucosidase enzyme. Plants were selected based on the taxonomic relationships with genera including several species with antidiabetic activity. In this screening, the extracts obtained from the flowers of Hyptis monticola and the leaves of Lantana trifolia and Lippia origanoides resulted endowed with promising anti-α-glucosidase activity. The extracts from H. monticola and from L. origanoides collected in two different areas, were characterised by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the identification of several enzyme inhibiting compounds, among them the mechanism of action of naringenin and pinocembrin was investigated. The two L. origanoides extracts showed differences in bioactivity and in the phytochemical profiles. The fractionation of the extract from H. monticola led to a partial loss of the inhibitory effect.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibition and Molecular Docking of Isolated Compounds from Traditional Thai Medicinal Plant, Neuropeltis racemosa Wall

Neuropeltis racemosa Wall. (Convolvulaceae) is wildly distributed in Asia. Its stem is used as the component in traditional Thai recipes for treatments of muscle rigidity, skin disorder, dysentery, and hypoglycemia. However, the chemical constituents and biological activities of N. racemosa have not been reported. From a screening assay, N. racemosa stem crude extract showed the potent effect on alpha-glucosidase inhibition at 2 mg/mL as 96.09%. The bioassay-guiding isolation led to 5 compounds that were identified by spectroscopic techniques as scopoletin (1), syringic acid (2), methyl 3-methyl-2-butenoate (3), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (4), and N-trans- coumaroyltyramine (5). Compounds 1, 4, and 5 exhibited an IC₅₀ of 110.97, 29.87, and 0.92 µg/mL, respectively, while the IC₅₀ of positive standard, acarbose was 272.72 µg/mL. Kinetic study showed that compound 1 performed as the mixed-type inhibition mechanism, whereas compounds 4 and 5 displayed the uncompetitive inhibition mechanism. The docking study provided the molecular understanding of isolated aromatic compounds (1, 2, 4 and 5) to alpha-glucosidase. Hence, this study would be the first report of isolated compounds and their anti-alpha-glucosidase activity with the mechanism of action from N. racemosa. Thus, these active compounds will be further studied to be the lead compounds among natural antidiabetic drugs.

The Pharmacological Effects and Pharmacokinetics of Active Compounds of Artemisia capillaris

Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (A.capillaris, Yin-Chen in Chinese) is a traditional medicinal herb with a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties ranging from effects against liver dysfunction to treatments of severe cirrhosis and cancer. We used relevant keywords to search electronic databases, including PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar, for scientific contributions related to this medicinal herb and the pharmacokinetics of its components. The pharmaceutical effects of A.capillaris contribute to the treatment not only of viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular hepatoma, but also metabolic syndrome, psoriasis, and enterovirus in the clinic. The bioactive compounds, including scoparone, capillarisin, scopoletin, and chlorogenic acid, exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antisteatotic, antiviral, and antitumor properties, reflecting the pharmacological effects of A.capillaris. The pharmacokinetics of the main bioactive compounds in A. capillaris can achieve a maximum concentration within 1 hour, but only chlorogenic acid has a relatively long half-life. Regarding the use of the A. capillaris herb by health professionals to treat various diseases, the dosing schedule of this herb should be carefully considered to maximize therapeutic outcomes while lessening possible side effects.

Natural α-Glucosidase and Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Inhibitors: A Source of Scaffold Molecules for Synthesis of New Multitarget Antidiabetic Drugs

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a group of metabolic disorders that leads to acute and long-term serious complications and is considered a worldwide sanitary emergence. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) represents about 90% of all cases of diabetes, and even if several drugs are actually available for its treatment, in the long term, they show limited effectiveness. Most traditional drugs are designed to act on a specific biological target, but the complexity of the current pathologies has demonstrated that molecules hitting more than one target may be safer and more effective. The purpose of this review is to shed light on the natural compounds known as α-glucosidase and Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) dual-inhibitors that could be used as lead compounds to generate new multitarget antidiabetic drugs for treatment of T2D.

Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenols in the Management of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a common and serious diabetes-associated complication that primarily takes place because of neuronal dysfunction in patients with diabetes. Use of current therapeutic agents in DN treatment is quite challenging because of their severe adverse effects. Therefore, there is an increased need of identifying new safe and effective therapeutic agents. DN complications are associated with poor glycemic control and metabolic imbalances, primarily oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation. Various mediators and signaling pathways such as glutamate pathway, activation of channels, trophic factors, inflammation, OS, advanced glycation end products, and polyol pathway have a significant contribution to the progression and pathogenesis of DN. It has been indicated that polyphenols have the potential to affect DN pathogenesis and could be used as potential alternative therapy. Several polyphenols including kolaviron, resveratrol, naringenin, quercetin, kaempferol, and curcumin have been administered in patients with DN. Furthermore, chlorogenic acid can provide protection against glutamate neurotoxicity via its hydrolysate, caffeoyl acid group, and caffeic acid through regulating the entry of calcium into neurons. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate treatment can protect motor neurons by regulating the glutamate level. It has been demonstrated that these polyphenols can be promising in combating DN-associated damaging pathways. In this article, we have summarized DN-associated metabolic pathways and clinical manifestations. Finally, we have also focused on the roles of polyphenols in the treatment of DN.

Chemical Structure and Biological Activities of Secondary Metabolites from Salicornia europaea L

Salicornia europaea L. is a halophyte that grows in salt marshes and muddy seashores, which is widely used both as traditional medicine and as an edible vegetable. This salt-tolerant plant is a source of diverse secondary metabolites with several therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity effects. Therefore, this review summarizes the chemical structure and biological activities of secondary metabolites isolated from Salicornia europaea L.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Leaves: Nutritional Composition, Phytochemical Profile, and Health-Promoting Bioactivities

Mangifera indica L. belongs to the family of Anacardiaceae and is an important fruit from South and Southeast Asia. India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mexico, Brazil, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and the Philippines are among the top mango producer countries. Leaves of the mango plant have been studied for their health benefits, which are attributed to a plethora of phytochemicals such as mangiferin, followed by phenolic acids, benzophenones, and other antioxidants such as flavonoids, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and tocopherols. The extracts from mango leaves (MLs) have been studied for their biological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-obesity, lipid-lowering, hepato-protection, and anti-diarrheal. In the present review, we have elaborated on the nutritional and phytochemical profile of the MLs. Further, various bioactivities of the ML extracts are also critically discussed. Considering the phytochemical profile and beneficial effects of the MLs, they can be used as a potential ingredient for the development of functional foods and pharmaceutical drugs. However, more detailed clinical trials still needed to be conducted for establishing the actual efficacy of the ML extracts.

A comprehensive review on the antidiabetic activity of flavonoids targeting PTP1B and DPP-4: a structure-activity relationship analysis

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an expanding global health problem, resulting from defects in insulin secretion and/or insulin resistance. In the past few years, both protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), as well as their role in T2D, have attracted the attention of the scientific community. PTP1B plays an important role in insulin resistance and is currently one of the most promising targets for the treatment of T2D, since no available PTP1B inhibitors were still approved. DPP-4 inhibitors are among the most recent agents used in the treatment of T2D (although its use has been associated with possible cardiovascular adverse events). The antidiabetic properties of flavonoids are well-recognized, and include inhibitory effects on the above enzymes, although hitherto not therapeutically explored. In the present study, a comprehensive review of the literature of both synthetic and natural isolated flavonoids as inhibitors of PTP1B and DPP-4 activities is made, including their type of inhibition and experimental conditions, and structure-activity relationship, covering a total of 351 compounds. We intend to provide the most favorable chemical features of flavonoids for the inhibition of PTP1B and DPP-4, gathering information for the future development of compounds with improved potential as T2D therapeutic agents.

Polyherbal mixture ameliorates hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and histopathological changes of pancreas, kidney and liver in a rat model of type 1 diabetes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

One of the commonly prescribed 'anti-diabetic' polyherbal mixtures by European herbalists is made of Rubus fruticosus and Vaccinium myrtillus leaves, Potentilla erecta roots, Geum urbanum aerial parts and Phaseolus vulgaris pods.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, potential toxicity, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, nephroprotective and hepatoprotective activities of this polyherbal mixture decoction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The phytochemical composition was evaluated using HPLC-UV. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH test. Potential toxicity was evaluated using the acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity method. Diabetes was induced in Wistar female rats with a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg). The animals whose blood glucose was >20 mmol/L for 14 consecutive days were considered diabetic. For the next 14 days, D-10 and D-20 groups were treated with the polyherbal mixture (10 and 20 g of dry plant material/kg, respectively). I and M were control groups treated with insulin glargine (13 IU/kg) and metformin (150 mg/kg), respectively. Healthy control (HC) and diabetic control (DC) groups were treated with water. The blood glucose level was measured on days 14, 21 and 28. Lipid profile analysis was done on day 28. Pancreas, kidney and liver histopathology was evaluated using the H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. The liver tissue was additionally tested for PAS-positive cells.

RESULTS

The HPLC-UV analysis revealed the presence of quinic, gallic and caftaric acid, arbutin, rutin, trifolin, astragalin, hyperoside, isoquercetin and quercitrin. The antioxidant activity of the extract was higher than the reference's one (p < 0.01). Treatment with the polyherbal mixture (10 and 20 g/kg) has shown no toxic effects. No major decline in blood sugar was recorded in I and M groups compared to the DC one (22.86 ± 2.58, 28.5 ± 0.42 and 27.82 ± 0.9 mmol/L, respectively). The polyherbal mixture lowered the blood glucose level to the normal value (8.64 ± 4.09, 5.26 ± 1.3 and 6.76 ± 1.54 mmol/L in D-10, D-20 and HC groups, respectively). Furthermore, it decreased the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL, LDL, atherogenic and cardiovascular risk indices (p < 0.001) compared to the DC group. In addition, the extract restored histopathological changes of the pancreas, kidneys and liver to the healthy animal level.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with the polyherbal mixture extract was more effective than the standard drugs (insulin and metformin) in the amelioration of hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and histopathological changes of the pancreas, kidney and liver tissue.

Artemisia scoparia and Metabolic Health: Untapped Potential of an Ancient Remedy for Modern Use

Botanicals have a long history of medicinal use for a multitude of ailments, and many modern pharmaceuticals were originally isolated from plants or derived from phytochemicals. Among these, artemisinin, first isolated from Artemisia annua, is the foundation for standard anti-malarial therapies. Plants of the genus Artemisia are among the most common herbal remedies across Asia and Central Europe. The species Artemisia scoparia (SCOPA) is widely used in traditional folk medicine for various liver diseases and inflammatory conditions, as well as for infections, fever, pain, cancer, and diabetes. Modern in vivo and in vitro studies have now investigated SCOPA's effects on these pathologies and its ability to mitigate hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress, obesity, diabetes, and other disease states. This review focuses on the effects of SCOPA that are particularly relevant to metabolic health. Indeed, in recent years, an ethanolic extract of SCOPA has been shown to enhance differentiation of cultured adipocytes and to share some properties of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), a class of insulin-sensitizing agonists of the adipogenic transcription factor PPARγ. In a mouse model of diet-induced obesity, SCOPA diet supplementation lowered fasting insulin and glucose levels, while inducing metabolically favorable changes in adipose tissue and liver. These observations are consistent with many lines of evidence from various tissues and cell types known to contribute to metabolic homeostasis, including immune cells, hepatocytes, and pancreatic beta-cells. Compounds belonging to several classes of phytochemicals have been implicated in these effects, and we provide an overview of these bioactives. The ongoing global epidemics of obesity and metabolic disease clearly require novel therapeutic approaches. While the mechanisms involved in SCOPA's effects on metabolic, anti-inflammatory, and oxidative stress pathways are not fully characterized, current data support further investigation of this plant and its bioactives as potential therapeutic agents in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction and many other conditions.

Regioselective Synthesis of Chromones via Cyclocarbonylative Sonogashira Coupling Catalyzed by Highly Active Bridged-Bis(N-Heterocyclic Carbene)Palladium(II) Complexes

The one-pot regioselective and catalytic synthesis of bioactive chromones and flavones was achieved via phosphine-free cyclocarbonylative Sonogashira coupling reactions of 2-iodophenols with aryl alkynes, alkyl alkynes, and dialkynes. The reactions are catalyzed by new dibromidobis(NHC)palladium(II) complexes. The new bridged N,N'-substituted benzimidazolium salts (L1, L2, and L3) and their palladium complexes C1, C2, and C3 were designed, prepared, and fully characterized using different physical and spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structures of complexes C1 and C3 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. They showed a distorted square planar geometry, where the Pd(II) ion is bonded to the carbon atoms of two cis NHC carbene ligands and two cis bromido anions. These complexes displayed a high catalytic activity in cyclocarbonylative Sonogashira coupling reactions with low catalyst loadings. The regioselectivity of these reactions was controlled by using diethylamine as the base and DMF as the solvent.

Rapid Screening α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Natural Products by At-Line Nanofractionation with Parallel Mass Spectrometry and Bioactivity Assessment

In this study, a novel at-line nanofractionation screening platform was successfully developed for the rapid screening and identification of α-glucosidase inhibitors from natural products. A time-course bioassay based on high density well-plates was performed in parallel with high resolution mass spectrometry (MS), providing a straightforward and rapid procedure to simultaneously obtain chemical and biological information of active compounds. Through multiple nanofractionations into the same well-plate and comparisons of the orthogonal separation results of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC), the α-glucosidase inhibitors can be accurately identified from co-eluates. The screening platform was comprehensively evaluated and validated, and was applied to the screenings of green tea polyphenols and Ginkgo folium flavonoids. After accurate peak shape and retention time matching between the bioactivity chromatograms and MS chromatograms, ten α-glucosidase inhibitors were successfully screened out and identified. The proposed screening method is rapid, effective and can avoid ignoring low abundant/active inhibitors.

An overview on the role of bioactive α-glucosidase inhibitors in ameliorating diabetic complications

Recently the use of bioactive α-glucosidase inhibitors for the treatment of diabetes have been proven to be the most efficient remedy for controlling postprandial hyperglycemia and its detrimental physiological complications, especially in type 2 diabetes. The carbohydrate hydrolysing enzyme, α-glucosidase, is generally competitively inhibited by the α-glucosidase inhibitors and results in the delayed glucose absorption in small intestine, ultimately controlling the postprandial hyperglycemia. Here we have reviewed the most recent updates in the bioactive α-glucosidase inhibitors category. This review provides an overview of the α-glucosidase inhibitory potentials and efficiency of controlling postprandial hyperglycemia of various bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic compound, polysaccharide, betulinic acid, tannins, anthocyanins, steroids, polyol, polyphenols, galangin, procyanidins, hydroxyl-α-sanshool, hydroxyl-β-sanshool, erythritol, ganomycin, caffeoylquinic acid, resin glycosides, saponins, avicularin, oleanolic acids, urasolic acid, ethanolic extracts etc., from various dietary and non-dietary naturally occurring sources.

Coumarin-based Scaffold as α-glucosidase Inhibitory Activity: Implication for the Development of Potent Antidiabetic Agents

BACKGROUND

Delaying the absorption of glucose through α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition is one of the therapeutic approaches in the management of Type 2 diabetes, which can reduce the incidence of postprandial hyperglycemia. The existence of chronic postprandial hyperglycemia impaired the endogenous antioxidant defense by inducing oxidative stress-induced pancreatic β-cell destruction through uncontrolled generation of free radicals such as ROS, which in turn, leads to various macrovascular and microvascular complications. The currently available α -glucosidase inhibitors, for instance, acarbose, have some side effects such as hypoglycemia at higher doses, liver problems, meteorism, diarrhea, and lactic acidosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover and develop potential α-glucosidase inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE

Based on suchmotifs, researchers are intrigued to search for the best scaffold that displays various biological activities. Among them, coumarin scaffold has attracted great attention. The compound and its derivatives can be isolated from various natural products and/or synthesized for the development of novel α-glucosidase inhibitors.

RESULTS

This study focused on coumarin and its derivatives as well as on their application as potent antidiabetic agents and has also concentrated on the structure-activity relationship.

CONCLUSION

This review describes the applications of coumarin-containing derivatives as α - glucosidase inhibitors based on published reports which will be useful for innovative approaches in the search for novel coumarin-based antidiabetic drugs with less toxicity and more potency.

LC-QTOF-MS-based metabolite profiling and evaluation of α-glucosidase inhibitory kinetics of Coccinia grandis fruit

Coccinia grandis is an important food crop of the Cucurbitaceae family, widely used for culinary purposes in India. It is reported to possess hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities. The current study was aimed to explore the inhibition kinetics as well as major constituents of the active fraction of C. grandis against α-glucosidase. The kinetic study was performed through spectrophotometric assay, with p-nitrophenyl-α-d-glucopyranoside as a substrate with varying concentrations. An in vitro antioxidant study was performed by DPPH assay. In addition, UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis was carried out for metabolite profiling of the bioactive fraction of C. grandis. The results showed that the difference between the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the ethyl acetate fraction of C. grandis (EFCG) (IC₅₀ 2.43 ± 0.27 mg/ml), and standard inhibitor, acarbose (2.08 ± 0.19 mg/ml), was not statistically significant at a P-value of 0.05. The enzyme kinetics confirmed the inhibition mode in a mixed manner. The EFCG also showed the highest antioxidant activity (101.74 ± 1.95 μg/ml) among all of the fractions. A significant correlation between antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of EFCG was observed. The LC-QTOF-MS study of the EFCG putatively identified 35 metabolites, which may be responsible for its antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory properties. Thus, C. grandis fruits can serve as a functional food to address diabetes-related disorders associated with α-glucosidase.

Coumarin tethered cyclic imides as efficacious glucose uptake agents and investigation of hit candidate to probe its binding mechanism with human serum albumin

A series of novel coumarin-cyclic imide conjugates (1a-1j) were designed and synthesized to evaluate their glucose uptake activity by insulin resistant liver hepatocyte carcinoma (HepG2) cells through 2-NBDG uptake assay. Compounds (1a-1j) were characterised using various analytical methods such as ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, GC-MS, elemental and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Compounds (1a-1j) exhibited 85.21 - 65.80% of glucose uptake and showed low level of cytotoxicity towards human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) indicating good selectivity and safety profile. Compound 1f was identified as a hit candidate exhibiting 85.21% of glucose uptake which was comparable with standard antidiabetic drug Metformin (93.25% glucose uptake). Solution stability study under physiological pH conditions ≈ (3.4 - 8.7), indicates that compound 1f is sufficiently stable at varied pH conditions and thereby compatible with bio-physiological environments. Interaction of 1f with human serum albumin (HSA) were also studied which quantifies that compound 1f binds with HSA efficiently through facile binding reaction in solution. Fluorescence, UV-vis spectrophotometry and molecular modeling methodologies were employed for studying the interaction mechanism of compound 1f with protein.

Activation of AMPK by Medicinal Plants and Natural Products: Its Role in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type-2 Diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disease characterized by permanent hyperglycemia, whose development can be prevented or delayed by using therapeutic agents and implementing lifestyle changes. Some therapeutic alternatives include regulation of glycemia through modulation of different mediators and enzymes, such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a highly relevant cellular energy sensor for metabolic homeostasis regulation, with particular relevance in the modulation of liver and muscle insulin sensitivity. This makes it a potential therapeutic target for antidiabetic drugs. In fact, some of them are standard drugs used for treatment of T2D, such as biguanides and thiazolidindiones. In this review, we compile the principal natural products that are activators of AMPK and their effect on glucose metabolism, which could make them candidates as future antidiabetic agents. Phenolics such as flavonoids and resveratrol, alkaloids such as berberine, and some saponins are potential natural activators of AMPK with a potential future as antidiabetic drugs.

Trans-3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid from Geigeria alata Benth. & Hook.f. ex Oliv. & Hiern with beneficial effects on experimental diabetes in animal model of essential hypertension

Geigeria alata Benth. & Hook.f. ex Oliv. & Hiern (Asteraceae) is used in Sudanese folk medicine for treatment of diabetes. The study aimed to estimate the acute oral toxicity of trans-3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-diCQA) from G. alata roots and to assess its antihypeglycemic, antioxidant and antihypertensive effects on chemically-induced diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The structure of 3,5-diCQA was established by NMR and HRMS spectra. Type 2 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. 3,5-diCQA was slightly toxic with LD₅₀ = 2154 mg/kg. At 5 mg/kg 3,5-diCQA reduced significantly (p < 0.05) the blood glucose levels by 42%, decreased the blood pressure by 22% and ameliorated the oxidative stress biomarkers reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, and serum biochemical parameters. The beneficial effect on antioxidant enzymes was evidenced by the elevated glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase activitiy in the livers of diabetic animals. 3,5-diCQA prevents the histopathological changes related to diabetes and hypertension. 3,5-diCQA was more potent α-glucosidase inhibitor (IC₅₀ 27.24 μg/mL) than acarbose (IC₅₀ 99.77 μg/mL). The antihyperglycemic action of the compound was attributed to the α-glucosidase inhibition. The beneficial effects of 3,5-diCQA on streptozotocin-induced diabetic hypertensive rats support the traditional use of G.alata for the management of diabetes.

In vitro biological evaluation of anti-diabetic activity of organic-inorganic hybrid gold nanoparticles

Diabetes mellitus has been considered as a heterogeneous metabolic disorder characterised by complete or relative impairment in the production of insulin by pancreatic β-cells or insulin resistance. In the present study, propanoic acid, an active biocomponent isolated from Cassia auriculata is employed for the synthesis of propanoic acid functionalised gold nanoparticles (Pa@AuNPs) and its anti-diabetic activity has been demonstrated in vitro. In vitro cytotoxicity of synthesised Pa@AuNPs was performed in L6 myotubes. The mode of action of Pa@AuNPs exhibiting anti-diabetic potential was validated by glucose uptake assay in the presence of Genistein (insulin receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and Wortmannin (Phosphatidyl inositide kinase inhibitor). Pa@AuNPs exhibited significant glucose uptake in L6 myotubes with maximum uptake at 50 ng/ml. Assays were performed to study the potential of Pa@AuNPs in the inhibition of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B, α-glucosidases, and α-amylase activity.

Chemistry and Biology of Selected Mexican Medicinal Plants

Herbal medicines are an integral element of alternative medical care in Mexico, and the best testimony to their efficacy and cultural value is their persistence in contemporary Mexican marketplaces where the highest percentages of medicinal and aromatic plants are sold. This chapter summarizes current trends in research on medicinal plants in Mexico, with emphasis on work carried out at the authors' laboratories. The most relevant phytochemical and pharmacological profiles of a selected group of plants used widely for treating major national health problems are described.From this contribution, it is evident that in the last five decades a significant amount of research on medicinal plants has been performed by Mexican scientists. Such efforts have led to the publication of many research papers in noted peer-reviewed journals and technical books. The isolation and structural characterization of hundreds of bioactive secondary metabolites have been accomplished, and most importantly, these studies have tended to support the ethnomedical uses of many different species. A multidisciplinary approach for investigating these plants has led to an increased emphasis on areas such as phytopharmacology, phytotoxicology, quality control, regulation, and conservation issues for these valuable resources. The medicinal plants analyzed so far have shown a very broad chemical diversity of their constituents, which have a high potential for exhibiting novel mechanistic effects biologically. The chapter shows also that there is need to conduct additional clinical studies on herbal drugs, in particular because the longstanding traditional evidence for their safety is not always sufficient to assure their rational use. There is also need to move to "omics" approaches for investigating the holistic effect and the influence of groups of phytochemicals on the whole organism. Mexican scientists may be expected to have bright prospects in this regard, which will imbue medicinal plant research with a new dynamism in the future.

The α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the dichloromethane extracts and constituents of Ferulago bracteata roots

CONTEXT

Ferulago (Apiaceae) species have been used since ancient times for the treatment of intestinal worms, hemorrhoids, and as a tonic, digestive, aphrodisiac, or sedative, as well as in salads or as a spice due to their special odors.

OBJECTIVES

This study reports the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of dichloromethane extract and bioactive compounds isolated from Ferulago bracteata Boiss. & Hausskn. roots.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The isolated compounds obtained from dichloromethane extract of Ferulago bracteata roots through bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation process were evaluated for their in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities at 5000-400 µg/mL concentrations. Compound structures were elucidated by detailed analyses (NMR and MS).

RESULTS

A new coumarin, peucedanol-2'-benzoate (1), along with nine known ones, osthole (2), imperatorin (3), bergapten (4), prantschimgin (5), grandivitinol (6), suberosin (7), xanthotoxin (8), felamidin (9), umbelliferone (10), and a sterol mixture consisted of stigmasterol (11), β-sitosterol (12) was isolated from the roots of F. bracteata. Felamidin and suberosin showed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 0.42 and 0.89 mg/mL, respectively) when compared to the reference standard acarbose (IC₅₀ 4.95 mg/mL). However, none of the tested extracts were found to be active on α-amylase inhibition.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that among the compounds isolated from CH₂Cl₂ fraction of F. bracteata roots, coumarins were determined as the main chemical constituents of this fraction. This is the first report on isolation and characterization of the bioactive compounds from root extracts of F. bracteata and on their α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.

An eco-friendly catalytic system for multicomponent, one-pot synthesis of novel spiro-chromeno indoline-triones and their anti-prostate cancer potentials evaluated via alkaline phosphatase inhibition mechanism

A green and efficient straightforward tactic for the one-pot regioselective synthesis of novel 10,10-dimethyl-9,10,11,11a-tetrahydro-6H-spiro[chromeno[4,3-b]chromene-7,3'-indoline]-2',6,8 (7aH) -triones (4a-n) in one-pot modus has been established using eco-friendly p-toluenesulphonic acid as catalyst. Among the solvents that were used for synthesis, 4a-n were suitably synthesized with maximum yield (90-98%) in water. We avoided column purification and the formed by-product in the process is environmental-friendly. Hence, this reaction may consider as an astonishing piece work in this study, why because, the reaction mechanism that depends on the nature of the group attached to the isatin ring nitrogen atom. The main advantage of this protocol includes short reaction time, good yield, easy to work-up, practical simplicity, high regioselectivity and reduced pollutant, cost and avoids tedious purification. These pharmaceutically important compounds (4a-n) were recognized for their alkaline phosphatase inhibition and prostate cancer medication capabilities. The selective activity relation between alkaline phosphatase and prostate cancer was unveiled through the interaction of 4a-n to Human alkaline phosphatase (PDB ID: 1EW2).

Scopoletin inhibits α-glucosidase in vitro and alleviates postprandial hyperglycemia in mice with diabetes

The aim of this study was to investigate whether scopoletin could inhibit the activities of the carbohydrate digestive enzymes, α-glucosidase and α-amylase, and reduce postprandial hyperglycemia in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in mice. Scopoletin showed a distinct inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of scopoletin was 85.12 and 37.36 μM for α-glucosidase and α-amylase, respectively, which were lower values than those for acarbose. The increase in postprandial blood glucose levels was significantly suppressed in the scopoletin group compared to the control group of STZ-induced diabetes in mice. Moreover, the area under the curve significantly decreased with the administration of scopoletin in STZ-induced diabetes in mice. These results showed that scopoletin might help to lower postprandial hyperglycemia through inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzymes.

Antidiabetic effect of Achillea millefollium through multitarget interactions: α-glucosidases inhibition, insulin sensitization and insulin secretagogue activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae) is a perennial herb used in Mexican folk medicine for treatment of several pathologies, including inflammatory and spasmodic gastrointestinal disorders, hepatobiliary complaints, overactive cardiovascular, respiratory ailments and diabetes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the potential antidiabetic effect in vivo and to establish the potential mode of action through in vitro approaches of Achillea millefolium.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antidiabetic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium (HAEAm) was evaluated on the oral glucose tolerance tests, in normoglycemic and experimental Type 2 diabetic mice models. In addition, we evaluated the possible mode of action in in vitro assays to determine α-glucosidases inhibition, the insulin secretion and calcium mobilization in RINm5F cells and PPARγ and GLUT4 expression in 3T3-L1 cells.

RESULTS

HAEAm showed significant glucose diminution on oral glucose tolerance test and in acute experimental Type 2 diabetic assay with respect to the control (p < 0.05). In addition, HAEAm promoted the α-glucosidases inhibition by 55% at 1mg/ml respect to control. On the other hand, HAEAm increased the PPARγ (five-times) and GLUT4 (two-fold) relative expression than control (p < 0.05). Finally, HAEAm significantly increased the insulin secretion and [Ca²⁺]_i compared with control.

CONCLUSION

The HAEAm possesses in vivo antidiabetic effect, having such effect through multitarget modes of action that involve antihyperglycemic (α-glucosidases inhibition), hypoglycemic (insulin secretion) and potential insulin sensitizer (PPARγ/GLUT4 overexpression) actions.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors from natural sources

Since PTP1B enzyme was discovered in 1988, it has captured the research community's attention. This landmark discovery has stimulated numerous research studies on a variety of human diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and diabetes. Tremendous progress has been made in finding PTP1B inhibitors and exploring PTP1B regulatory mechanisms. This review investigates for the natural PTP1B inhibitors, and focuses on the common characteristics of the discovered structures and structure-activity relationships. To facilitate understanding, all the natural compounds are here divided into five different classes (fatty acids, phenolics, terpenoids, steroids, and alkaloids), according to their skeletons. These PTP1B inhibitors of scaffold structures could serve as a theoretical basis for new concept drug discovery and design.

Inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B by flavonoids: A structure - activity relationship study

The classical non-transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) has emerged as a key negative regulator of insulin signaling pathways that leads to insulin resistance, turning this enzyme a promising therapeutic target in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In the present work, the in vitro inhibitory activity of a panel of structurally related flavonoids, for recombinant human PTP1B was studied and the type of inhibition of the most active compounds further evaluated. The majority of the studied flavonoids was tested in this work for the first time, including flavonoid C13, which was the most potent inhibitor. It was observed that the ability to inhibit PTP1B depends on the nature, position and number of substituents in the flavonoid structure, as the presence of both 7- and 8-OBn groups in the A ring, together with the presence of both 3' and 4'-OMe groups in the B ring and the 3-OH group in the C ring; these substituents increase the flavonoids' ability to inhibit PTP1B. In conclusion, some of the tested flavonoids seem to be promising PTP1B inhibitors and potential effective agents in the management of T2DM, by increasing insulin sensitivity.

Evaluation of Asteraceae herbal extracts in the management of diabetes and obesity. Contribution of caffeoylquinic acids on the inhibition of digestive enzymes activity and formation of advanced glycation end-products (in vitro)

The study was performed to assess, for the first time, the in vitro anti-diabetic potential of ten Asteraceae plant extracts to inhibit the activity of digestive enzymes (α-amylase, α-, β-glucosidases and lipase) responsible for hydrolysis/digestion of sugar and lipids. Prevention of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formation was evaluated in bovine serum albumin/ribose glycation reaction model. The phytochemical profiles and caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) contents were determined for the methanolic extract of each plant. Analyzed plant extracts exhibited significant inhibitory activity against key digestive enzymes linked to type II diabetes and obesity. A strong inhibition was observed for glucosidases and mild activity towards amylase and lipase (compared to reference compounds). Moreover, some extracts exhibited potent ability to prevent formation of AGEs, implicated in some diabetic complications. Caffeoylquinic acids were dominant in all plant extracts and findings demonstrate that these compounds are the most relevant hypoglycemic and anti-glycation agents. From the obtained results, Argyranthemum pinnatifidum, Helichrysum melaleucum, and Phagnalon lowei are good candidates for further development of phyto-pharmaceutical preparations as complementary therapy for diabetes and obesity control.