Phytochemical Analysis and Antidiabetic Potential of Armoracia Rusticana: Pharmacological and Computational Approach

Root Vegetables-Composition, Health Effects, and Contaminants

Root vegetables are known all over the world, but they are being less and less consumed by individuals. The main purpose of this article was to summarize the benefits, health effects, and threats associated with the consumption of carrot, celery, parsley, beetroot, radish, turnip, and horseradish. They are characterized by high nutritional value due to their richness in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. One of their most important features is their high content of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, phenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. These compounds are responsible for antioxidant potential. Comparison of their antioxidant effects is difficult due to the lack of standardization among methods used for their assessment. Therefore, there is a need for a reference method that would allow for correct interpretation. Moreover, root vegetables are characterized by several health-promoting effects, including the regulation of metabolic parameters (glucose level, lipid profile, and blood pressure), antioxidant potential, prebiotic function, and anti-cancer properties. However, due to the type of cultivation, root vegetables are vulnerable to contaminants from the soil, such as toxic metals (lead and cadmium), pesticides, pharmaceutical residues, microplastics, and nitrates. Regardless, the low levels of toxic substances present in root vegetables do not pose health risks to the average consumer.

Integrating Pharmacological and Computational Approaches for the Phytochemical Analysis of Syzygium cumini and Its Anti-Diabetic Potential

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease caused by improper insulin secretion leading to hyperglycemia. Syzygium cumini has excellent therapeutic properties due to its high levels of phytochemicals. The current research aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic potential of S. cumini plant's seeds and the top two phytochemicals (kaempferol and gallic acid) were selected for further analysis. These phytochemicals were selected via computational tools and evaluated for α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity via enzymatic assay. Gallic acid (IC₅₀ 0.37 µM) and kaempferol (IC₅₀ 0.87 µM) have shown a stronger α-glucosidase inhibitory capacity than acarbose (5.26 µM). In addition, these phytochemicals demonstrated the highest binding energy, hydrogen bonding, protein-ligand interaction and the best MD simulation results at 100 ns compared to acarbose. Furthermore, the ADMET properties of gallic acid and kaempferol also fulfilled the safety criteria. Thus, it was concluded that S. cumini could potentially be used to treat DM. The potential bioactive molecules identified in this study (kaempferol and gallic acid) may be used as lead drugs against diabetes.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of benzothiazine-pyrazole hybrid molecules against alpha-glucosidase: Pharmacological and molecular modelling based approach

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder and a significant health problem all over the world. The current study elucidates the inhibitory potentials of the benzothiazine-pyrazole hybrid series against the α-Glucosidase enzyme. The molecular docking was employed to determine the binding affinity of synthetic compounds (ligands) with α-Glucosidase enzyme (receptor) active sites via the molecular operating environment (MOE). The molecular docking analysis revealed the best inhibitory interaction between certain synthetic compounds and the enzyme's active sites (α-Glucosidase). These compounds were further examined for drug-like properties, which necessarily validate the use of the compound as a drug. Then selected compounds were subjected to in vitro analysis to find the inhibitory potential with minimal dose. All compounds were docked into the active sites with the best binding pose and low rmsd values. The anti-diabetic analysis revealed that compound ST3 is more active against α-Glucosidase with IC₅₀ values 5.8 µM as compared to acarbose which is 58.8 µM. The present study exhibited compound 2c has a high proficiency in lowering blood glucose levels compared to acarbose. This study strengthened the scope of designing/synthesizing these benzothiazine-pyrazole hybrid molecules as anti-diabetic drug molecules in the pharmaceutical industry.

Synthesis and α-Glucosidase Inhibition Activity of 2-[3-(Benzoyl/4-bromobenzoyl)-4-hydroxy-1,1-dioxido-2H-benzo[e][1,2]thiazin-2-yl]-N-arylacetamides: An In Silico and Biochemical Approach

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disorder and has affected a large number of people worldwide. Insufficient insulin production causes an increase in blood glucose level that results in DM. To lower the blood glucose level, various drugs are employed that block the activity of the α-glucosidase enzyme, which is considered responsible for the breakdown of polysaccharides into monosaccharides leading to an increase in the intestinal blood glucose level. We have synthesized novel 2-(3-(benzoyl/4-bromobenzoyl)-4-hydroxy-1,1-dioxido-2H-benzo[e][1,2]thiazin-2-yl)-N-arylacetamides and have screened them for their in silico and in vitro α-glucosidase inhibition activity. The derivatives 11c, 12a, 12d, 12e, and 12g emerged as potent inhibitors of the α-glucosidase enzyme. These compounds exhibited good docking scores and excellent binding interactions with the selected residues (Asp203, Asp542, Asp327, His600, Arg526) during in silico screening. Similarly, these compounds also showed good in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitions with IC₅₀ values of 30.65, 18.25, 20.76, 35.14, and 24.24 μM, respectively, which were better than the standard drug, acarbose (IC₅₀ = 58.8 μM). Furthermore, a good agreement was observed between in silico and in vitro modes of study.