The inhibitory activity of herbal medicines on the keys enzymes and steps related to carbohydrate and lipid digestion

A Comparative Analysis on Impact of Extraction Methods on Carotenoids Composition, Antioxidants, Antidiabetes, and Antiobesity Properties in Seagrass Enhalus acoroides: In Silico and In Vitro Study

Enhalus acoroides, a tropical seagrass, is known for its significant contribution to marine ecosystems and its potential health benefits due to bioactive compounds. This study aims to compare the carotenoid levels in E. acoroides using green extraction via ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and to evaluate the biological properties of these extracts against oxidative stress, diabetes, and obesity through in silico and in vitro analyses. E. acoroides samples were collected from Manado City, Indonesia, and subjected to UAE and MAE. The extracts were analyzed using UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS to identify carotenoids, including β-carotene, lutein, lycopene, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. In silico analysis was conducted to predict the compounds' bioactivity, toxicity, and drug-likeness using WAY2DRUG PASS and molecular docking with CB-Dock2. The compounds C3, C4, and C7 demonstrated notable interactions, with key metabolic proteins and microRNAs, further validating their potential therapeutic benefits. In vitro assays evaluated antioxidant activities using DPPH and FRAP assays, antidiabetic properties through α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition, and antiobesity effects via lipase inhibition and MTT assay with 3T3-L1 cells. Results indicated that both UAE and MAE extracts exhibited significant antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiobesity activities. MAE extracts showed higher carotenoid content and greater biological activity compared to UAE extracts. These findings suggest that E. acoroides, mainly when extracted using MAE, has promising potential as a source of natural bioactive compounds for developing marine-based antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiobesity agents. This study supplements existing literature by providing insights into the efficient extraction methods and the therapeutic potential of E. acoroides carotenoids.

Effects of Herbal Tea (Non-Camellia sinensis) on Glucose Homeostasis and Serum Lipids in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

CONTEXT

Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia increase the risk for diabetes and its complications, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. Identification of safe and cost-effective means to reduce risk factors is needed. Herbal teas may be a vehicle to deliver antioxidants and polyphenols for prevention of complications.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate and summarize the impact of herbal tea (non-Camellia sinensis) on glucose homeostasis and serum lipids in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, FSTA, Web of Science, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception through February 2023 using relevant keyword proxy terms for diabetes, serum lipids, and "non-Camellia sinensis" or "tea."

DATA EXTRACTION

Data from 14 randomized controlled trials, totaling 551 participants, were included in the meta-analysis of glycemic and serum lipid profile end points.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis suggested a significant association between drinking herbal tea (prepared with 2-20 g d-1 plant ingredients) and reduction in fasting blood glucose (FBG) (P = .0034) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; P = .045). In subgroup analysis based on studies using water or placebo as the control, significant reductions were found in serum total cholesterol (TC; P = .024), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; P = .037), and triglyceride (TG; P = .043) levels with a medium effect size. Meta-regression analysis suggested that study characteristics, including the ratio of male participants, trial duration, and region, were significant sources of FBG and HbA1c effect size heterogeneity; type of control intervention was a significant source of TC and LDL-C effect size heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

Herbal tea consumption significantly affected glycemic profiles in individuals with T2D, lowering FBG levels and HbA1c. Significance was seen in improved lipid profiles (TC, TG, and LDL-C levels) through herbal tea treatments when water or placebo was the control. This suggests water or placebo may be a more suitable control when examining antidiabetic properties of beverages. Additional research is needed to corroborate these findings, given the limited number of studies.

Response surface methodology based development of an optimized polyherbal formulation and evaluation of its anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Background and aim

The seeds of Nelumbo nucifera, Chenopodium quinoa and Salvia hispanica are known as super foods due to their various therapeutic properties. The present study aimed to develop an optimized polyherbal formulation from edible seeds aqueous extract and to evaluate its anti-diabetic and lipase inhibitory effect on diet-induced obese diabetic mice.

Experimental procedure

Response surface methodology based various formulations were evaluated for their potent anti-diabetic, lipase-inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Acute toxicity of the best optimized formulation was conducted. The mice were fed a high fat diet for 10 weeks resulting in hyperglycemia and obesity. Oral tolerance tests (sucrose, starch and lipid) of the formulation were performed. The mice were supplemented with different doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) of the formulation for 6 weeks. The body weight and blood glucose level were monitored on a weekly basis. Finally, histological alterations and lipid profiles were analysed.

Results and conclusion

The formulation containing equal concentration (1.5 mg/ml) of each seed extract showed maximum bioactivities. The formulation was found to be safe during toxicity assay. The tolerance tests supported the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effect. Higher dose (500 mg/kg) of the formulation significantly (p < 0.01) lowered elevated fasting blood glucose, lipid indices and ameliorated the histological alterations in liver, kidney and pancreas caused by high fat diet. We demonstrated for the first time that the developed aqueous extract optimized formulation possess anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential and thus could be used as adjuvant therapy for holistic management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Identifying phenolics by UPLC-MS/MS in some Prangos Lindl. species and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with biochemical, physiological, and pathological changes in the liver and characterized by some deficiencies in insulin secretion or insulin action. Prangos Lindl. species are important plants used as spice and medicine in Asian countries, including Türkiye. This study first aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of the aerial parts of the 5 different Prangos species (Apiaceae) collected from various locations to discover and identify bioactive phenolic components. The results revealed that the methanolic extract of P. heyniae exhibited the highest activity against α-glucosidase inhibition compared to the other Prangos species (IC50 = 458.54 ± 5.62 μg/mL). For this reason, the active species P. heyniae (an endemic species) was subjected to UPLC-MS/MS to evaluate the possible active phenolic components. The results showed that 53 phenolic compounds were correctly screened, 21 were precisely determined by UPLC-MS/MS in P. heyniae. Therefore, it was concluded that the aerial parts of P. heyniae might have therapeutic potential for hyperglycemia due to its phenolic compounds. Moreover, quinic acid (3.66%), chlorogenic acid (2.35%), rutin (2.96%), and hesperidin (0.79%) might be potential markers of the methanolic extract of P. heyniae. In the end, this study provides comprehensive knowledge regarding the phenolic profile of P. heyniae related to antidiabetic activity for the first time in this study.

A review of the ethnomedicinal uses, chemistry, and pharmacological properties of the genus Acanthus (Acanthaceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Acanthus genus belongs to the Acanthaceae family, and its species are distributed in all continents, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. Several traditional applications are referred to, but few scientific studies validate them. Despite this, studies in animal models corroborate some of its uses in folk medicine, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive, which encourages the research on plants of this genus.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

To our knowledge, this document is the first comprehensive review study that provides information on the geographic distribution, botanical characteristics, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activities of some Acanthus species to understand the correlation between traditional uses, phytochemical, and pharmacological activities, providing perspectives for future studies.

RESULTS

In traditional medicine, Acanthus species are mainly used for diseases of respiratory, nervous and reproductive system, gastrointestinal and urinary tract, and skin illness. The most used species are A. montanus, A. ilicifolius, and A. ebracteatus. Chemical compounds (125) from different chemical classes were isolated and identified in seven species, mainly from A. ilicifolius, about 80, followed by A. ebracteatus and A. montanus, appearing with a slightly lower number with fewer phytochemical profile studies. Isolated phytoconstituents have been mainly alkaloids, phenylpropanoid glycosides, and phenylethanoids. In addition, aliphatic glycosides, flavonoids, lignan glycosides, megastigmane derivatives, triterpenoids, steroids, fatty acids, alcohols, hydroxybenzoic acids, simple phenols were also cited. Scientific studies from Acanthus species extracts and their phytoconstituents support their ethnomedical uses. Antimicrobial activity that is the most studied, followed by the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, underlie many Acanthus species activities. A. dioscoridis, A. ebracteatus, A. hirsutus, A. ilicifolius, A. mollis, A. montanus, and A. polystachyus have studies on these activities, A. ilicifolius being the one with the most publications. Most studies were essentially performed in vitro. However, the anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties have been studied in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Acanthus species have remarkable phytoconstituents with different biological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, hepatoprotective, and leishmanicidal, supporting traditional uses of some species. However, many others remain unexplored. Future studies should focus on these species, especially pharmacological properties, toxicity, and action mechanisms. This review provides a comprehensive report on Acanthus genus plants, evidencing their therapeutic potential and prospects for discovering new safe and effective drugs from Acanthus species.

Evaluation of Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipidemic Activity of 80% Methanolic Extract of the Root of Solanum incanum Linnaeus (Solanaceae) in Mice

Background

Conventional antidiabetic drugs are linked with a number of contraindications and untoward effects. The root decoction of Solanum incanum L. has traditionally been used to treat diabetes. However, its safety and efficacy have not been scientifically authenticated yet. Hence, the study was conducted in mice to corroborate its antidiabetic potential and safety profile.

Methods

Using normoglycemic, oral glucose-loaded, and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice models, the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activities of 80% methanolic root extract were investigated. On streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, the effect of the test extract on diabetic lipid profile and body weight was also investigated. Further, the in vitro α-amylase inhibition activity was assessed.

Results

The test extract was safe at a limit test dose of 2 g/kg. Dose-dependent α-amylase inhibition activity was seen with peak percentage inhibition of 75.95% at 700 μg/mL. In normoglycemic mice, the plant extract showed statistically significant hypoglycemic activity at 200 and 400 mg/kg (P < 0.001) at 6  h and 4 and 6 h of treatment, respectively; in oral glucose-loaded mice, at both the test doses, the glucose level was also significantly dropped at 120 (P < 0.01) and 60 and 120 min (P < 0.001), respectively; whereas, in the third model, the test extract showed significant antihyperglycemic activity at 100 mg/kg (P < 0.05) on the 14^th day and at 200 (P < 0.01) and 400 mg/kg (P < 0.001) on the 7^th and 14^th day of treatment. Similarly, following repeated administration of the test extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg, the body weight was significantly improved on the 14^th day (P < 0.05) and on the 7^th and 14^th day (P < 0.01), respectively, while diabetic dyslipidemia after 14 days (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The study revealed that the test extract showed promising antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activity. Thus, the findings back up its use in Ethiopian remedies for diabetes.

Comparative study of six antidiabetic polyherbal formulation for its multimodal approaches in diabetes management

Commercial antidiabetic polyherbal formulations (APH) are available with claimed hypoglycemic activities; yet they lack systematic scientific studies leading to their limited global acceptance. In the present study, six selected APH from the Indian market were evaluated for their phytochemical contents, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, antioxidant activities and further identifying the major antidiabetic bioactive compound of "MA" by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Our results revealed highest TPC (136.97 ± 0.6 µg GAE/mg) and TFC (128.85 ± 0.74 µg QE/mg) in APH-DB and APH-SN, respectively. APH-MA has exhibited highest α-amylase 72.5% (IC₅₀-579.65 μg/ml), α-glucosidase 88.02% (IC₅₀-261.03 μg/ml) and moderate lipase inhibition 57.7% (IC₅₀ 159.57 μg/ml). A variable free radical scavenging activity was observed by all the tested APH. Further significant linear positive correlations were observed between TPC-Lipase (r ²-0.985****), TFC-α-amylase (r ²-0.868**) and DPPH-α-amylase inhibition (r ²-0.8098*). HPLC-ESI-MS/MS of MA showed the presence of anti-hyperglycemic compounds, Pheophorbide a and Pyropheophorbide a, as the major peaks. Among the tested extracts, MA exhibited better activities while BG, MH, SN, DB, and DT have showed comparable/mild anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant potential. Hence the tested APH may be considered effective for DM management which can further be assessed for their other targets of inhibition.

Anti-Diabetic Potential of Plant-Based Pentacyclic Triterpene Derivatives: Progress Made to Improve Efficacy and Bioavailability

Diabetes mellitus (DM) results from the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin or weakened cellular response to the insulin produced, which leads to hyperglycemia. Current treatments of DM focus on the use of oral hypoglycemic drugs such as acarbose, alpha-glucose inhibitors, sulphonylureas, thiazolidinediones, and biguanides to control blood glucose levels. However, these medications are known to have various side effects in addition to their bioavailability, efficacy, and safety concerns. These drawbacks have increased interest in the anti-diabetic potential of plant-derived bioactive compounds such as oleanolic and maslinic acids. Although their efficacy in ameliorating blood glucose levels has been reported in several studies, their bioavailability and efficacy remain of concern. The current review examines the anti-diabetic effects of oleanolic, maslinic, asiatic, ursolic, and corosolic acids and their derivatives, as well as the progress made thus far to enhance their bioavailability and efficacy. The literature for the current review was gathered from leading academic databases-including Google Scholar and PubMed-the key words listed below were used. The literature was searched as widely and comprehensively as possible without a defined range of dates.

Red Wine High-Molecular-Weight Polyphenolic Complex: An Emerging Modulator of Human Metabolic Disease Risk and Gut Microbiota

Moderate red wine consumption has been linked to reduced chronic disease risk. Thus far, little has been known about the physicochemical properties and potential biological effects of high-molecular-weight polyphenolic complexes (HPPCs), a major fraction of red wine polyphenols. In this work, the stability and biochemical properties of HPPCs under simulated gastrointestinal conditions in vitro were studied. The results showed that HPPCs were resistant to simulated gastric digestion (SGD) and simulated intestinal digestion (SID). They exhibited significant inhibitory activity against key metabolic syndrome-associated digestive enzymes, achieving 17.1-90.9% inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase, lipase, and cholesterol esterase at 0.02-0.45 mg/mL. HPPCs were metabolized by gut microbiota (GM), leading to significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity when compared with the original, SGD, and SID samples. Furthermore, they favorably modulated GM profiles, which was accompanied by significantly increased short-chain fatty acid generation during the early colonic fermentation phase. These findings suggest that HPPCs are a promising modulator of human metabolic disease risk.

Potential Hypolipidemic Effects of Banana Condensed Tannins Through the Interaction with Digestive Juice Components Related to Lipid Digestion

An in vitro intestinal model was used to evaluate the impact of banana condensed tannins (BCT) on the digestion of lipids (fat and cholesterol). BCT significantly suppressed the digestion of fat and cholesterol by interacting with digestive juice components. The interactions of BCT with a digestive juice mixture and its components (including bile acid, lipase, cholesterol esterase, CaCl₂, NaCl, and cholesterol) were analyzed using turbidity, isothermal titration calorimetry, particle size distribution, zeta potential, and molecular docking analyses. The results showed that BCT reduced the digestion of lipids mainly via interaction with lipase, cholesterol esterase, bile acid, and cholesterol. Electrostatic CT-calcium ion complexes might reduce the extent of lipid digestion by decreasing the surface area of the lipid droplets exposed to the enzymes. This research provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of the interaction of BCT with digestive juice components related to lipid digestion that may affect the rate and extent of lipid digestion.

Anthocyanin-rich fraction from Thai berries interferes with the key steps of lipid digestion and cholesterol absorption

Several studies have documented the hypolipidemic effect of anthocyanin-rich plants in vitro and in vivo. The objective of this study was to elucidate the inhibitory activity of anthocyanin-rich fraction from Thai berries against fat digestive enzymes. The ability of Thai berries to bind bile acid, disrupt cholesterol micellization and the cholesterol uptake into Caco-2 cells was also determined. The content of total phenolics, flavonoid and anthocyanin in Prunus domestica L. (TPE), Antidesma bunius (L.) Spreng, Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, and Syzygium nervosum A. Cunn. Ex DC was 222.7–283.5 mg gallic acid equivalents, 91.2–184.3 mg catechin equivalents, and 37.9–49.5 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/g extract, respectively. The anthocyanin-rich fraction of all extracts inhibited pancreatic lipase and cholesterol esterase with the IC₅₀ values of 90.6–181.7 μg/mL and 288.7–455.0 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, all extracts could bind primary and secondary bile acids (16.4–36.6%) and reduce the solubility of cholesterol in artificial micelles (53.0–67.6%). Interestingly, TPE was the most potent extract on interfering the key steps of lipid digestion among the tested extracts. In addition, TPE (0.10–0.50 mg/mL) significantly reduced the cholesterol uptake into Caco-2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. These results demonstrate a new insight into the role of anthocyanin-rich Thai berry extract on interfering the key steps of lipid digestion and absorption.

Exploration of Fungal Lipase as Direct Target of Eugenol through Spectroscopic Techniques

BACKGROUND

Fungal lipase dependent processes are important for their pathogenicity. Lipases can therefore be explored as direct target of promising herbal antifungals.

OBJECTIVE

We explored Aspergillus niger lipase as a direct target of eugenol through spectroscopic techniques and compare results with Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme to comment on selectivity of eugenol towards lipase.

METHODS

In vitro activity assays of lipase are used to determine concentration ranges. UV-Visible, Fluorescence and Circular dichroism spectroscopy were employed to determine binding constant, stoichiometric binding sites and structural changes in Lipase, BSA and lysozyme following incubation with varying concentrations of eugenol.

RESULTS

In activity assays 50% inhibition of lipase was obtained at 0.913 mmoles/litre eugenol. UV-vis spectroscopy shows formation of lipase-eugenol, Bovine Serum Albumin-eugenol and lysozyme-eugenol complex well below this concentration of eugenol. Eugenol binding caused blue shift with Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme suggestive of compaction, and red shift with lipase. Negative ellipticity decreased with lipase but increased with Bovine Serum Albumineugenol and lysozyme-eugenol complexes suggesting loss of helical structure for lipase and compaction for Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme. Binding of eugenol to lipase was strong (Ka= 4.7 x 106 M-1) as compared to Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme. The number of stoichiometric eugenol binding sites on lipase was found to be 2 as compared to 1.37 (Bovine Serum Albumin) and 0.32 (lysozyme). Docking results also suggest strong binding of eugenol with lipase followed by Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme.

CONCLUSION

Eugenol is found to be effective inhibitor and disruptor of secondary and tertiary structure of lipase, whereas its binding to Bovine Serum Albumin and lysozyme is found to be weak and less disruptive of structures suggesting selectivity of eugenol towards lipase.

Rhinacanthins-rich Extract Enhances Glucose Uptake and Inhibits Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and L6 Myotubes

Background:

Obesity is one of the imperative dynamics in the incidence and intensification of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Rhinacanthus nasutus leaf extracts are previously reported for their antidiabetic and antiobesity potential.

Objective:

The present study was performed to evaluate glucose uptake stimulatory and antiadipogenic activities of a standardized rhinacanthins-rich extract (RRE) and its marker compounds namely rhinacanthin-C (RC), rhinacanthin-D (RD), and rhinacanthin-N (RN) in 3T3-L1 and L6 cells.

Materials and Methods:

RRE was prepared by a green extraction process, and the marker compounds (RC, RD, and RN) were isolated from the RRE using a silica gel column chromatography. Glucose uptake stimulation in both 3T3-L1 and L6 cells was performed by quantification of residual glucose in the media using glucose oxidase kit. Antiadipogenic activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was performed by intracellular lipids quantification using oil red O dye.

Results:

At the highest effective dose, RRE (20 μg/mL) exhibited satisfactory glucose uptake stimulatory effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes that equivalent to RN (20 μg/mL) and the positive control insulin (0.58 μg/mL) but higher than RC (20 μg/mL) and RD (20 μg/mL). In addition, treatments of L6 myotubes showed that RRE (2.5 μg/mL) exhibited potent and equivalent glucose uptake stimulation (>80%) to RC (2.5 μg/mL) and the standard drugs, insulin (2.90 μg/mL) and metformin (219.5 μg/mL), but higher than RD (2.5 μg/mL) and RN (2.5 μg/mL). Furthermore, RRE (20 μg/mL) exhibited potent antiadipogenic effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which equivalent to RC (20 μg/mL) but higher than RD (20 μg/mL) and RN (20 μg/mL).

Conclusions:

The undertaken study suggests that RRE could be used as an effective remedy in the treatment of obesity-associated T2DM.

SUMMARY

Rhinacanthins-rich extract and its marker compounds showed potent glucose uptake stimulatory activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes

Rhinacanthins-rich extract and rhinacanthin-C showed comparable antiadipogenic effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

RRE could be used as an effective remedy in the treatment of obesity-associated T2DM.

Abbreviations used: T2DM: Type-2 diabetes mellitus; RRE: Rhinacanthins-rich extract; RC: Rhinacanthin-C; RD: Rhinacanthin-D; RN: Rhinacanthin-N; α-MEM: α-Minimum essential medium; DMEM: Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium; HS: Horse serum; FBS: Fetal bovine serum; BSA: Bovine serum albumin; IBMX: 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine; MTT: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; GO: Glucose oxidase; NMR: Nuclear magnetic resonance; HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography.

Allspice and Clove As Source of Triterpene Acids Activating the G Protein-Coupled Bile Acid Receptor TGR5

Worldwide, metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes have reached epidemic proportions. A major regulator of metabolic processes that gained interest in recent years is the bile acid receptor TGR5 (Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5). This G protein-coupled membrane receptor can be found predominantly in the intestine, where it is mainly responsible for the secretion of the incretins glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY). The aim of this study was (i) to identify plant extracts with TGR5-activating potential, (ii) to narrow down their activity to the responsible constituents, and (iii) to assess whether the intestinal microbiota produces transformed metabolites with a different activity profile. Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) served as positive control for both, the applied cell-based luciferase reporter gene assay for TGR5 activity and the biotransformation assay using mouse fecal slurry. The suitability of the workflow was demonstrated by the biotransformation of CDCA to lithocholic acid resulting in a distinct increase in TGR5 activity. Based on a traditional Tibetan formula, 19 plant extracts were selected and investigated for TGR5 activation. Extracts from the commonly used spices Syzygium aromaticum (SaroE, clove), Pimenta dioica (PdioE, allspice), and Kaempferia galanga (KgalE, aromatic ginger) significantly increased TGR5 activity. After biotransformation, only KgalE showed significant differences in its metabolite profile, which, however, did not alter its TGR5 activity compared to non-transformed KgalE. UHPLC-HRMS (high-resolution mass spectrometry) analysis revealed triterpene acids (TTAs) as the main constituents of the extracts SaroE and PdioE. Identification and quantification of TTAs in these two extracts as well as comparison of their TGR5 activity with reconstituted TTA mixtures allowed the attribution of the TGR5 activity to TTAs. EC50s were determined for the main TTAs, i.e., oleanolic acid (2.2 ± 1.6 μM), ursolic acid (1.1 ± 0.2 μM), as well as for the hitherto unknown TGR5 activators corosolic acid (0.5 ± 1.0 μM) and maslinic acid (3.7 ± 0.7 μM). In conclusion, extracts of clove, allspice, and aromatic ginger activate TGR5, which might play a pivotal role in their therapeutic use for the treatment of metabolic diseases. Moreover, the TGR5 activation of SaroE and PdioE could be pinpointed solely to TTAs.