Ficus carica (Linn.) Leaf and Bud Extracts and Their Combination Attenuates Type-1 Diabetes and Its Complications via the Inhibition of Oxidative Stress

Metabolic profiling and antidiabetic potential of Oedogonium angustistomum, Ulothrix variabilis, and Mougeotia pulchella and their peptides targeting α-amylase and α-glucosidase: In vitro and in silico approaches

The present research aimed to examine the diabetes-fighting properties of three algal species: Oedogonium angustistomum, Ulothrix variabilis, and Mougeotia pulchella. The in vitro antidiabetic properties of these algae were investigated by α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays. The metabolites responsible for the inhibition of α-amylase (2QV4) and α-glucosidase (8YIE) were identified through molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation in the Maestro V 13.2, Schrödinger suite. In the in vitro research, aqueous, methanol, and petroleum benzene-derived extracts of M. pulchella demonstrated significant inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, with IC50 values of 19.58, 16.67 μg/mL, and 16.43 μg/mL, respectively. In this research, approximately 62 chemical constituents belonging to various classes were identified by LC-MS. In the in-silico research, the peptides, namely 2-(S-Glutathionyl) acetyl glutathione, APGPR enterostatin, and endomorphine 2, were found to exhibit greater efficacy, with docking scores of -8.053, -8.564, and -7.653 kcal/mol respectively. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that the complexes exhibited a lower RMSD range of ≤2.8, indicating enhanced stability. Therefore, this study concludes that the peptides may serve as potential candidates for the development of anti-diabetic agents. However, further in vivo research is required to understand the mechanisms of action of peptides in diabetic experiments.

Phytochemical composition, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic effects of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. leaves: in vitro and in silico assessments

The aim of this study was to screen the chemical components of Solanum elaeagnifolium leaves and assess their therapeutic attributes with regard to their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic activities. The antidiabetic effects were explored to determine the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of the leaf extract. To identify the active antidiabetic drugs from the extracts, the GC-MS-screened molecules were docked with diabetes-related proteins using the glide module in the Schrodinger Tool. In addition, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed for 100 ns to evaluate the binding stability of the docked complex using the Desmond module. The ethyl acetate had a significant total phenolic content (TPC), with a value of 79.04 ± 0.98 mg/g GAE. The ethanol extract was tested for its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for its bacteriostatic properties. It suppressed the growth of B. subtilis, E. coli, P. vulgaris, R. equi and S. epidermis at a dosage of 118.75 µg/mL. Moreover, the IC50 values of the ethanol extract were determined to be 17.78 ± 2.38 in the α-amylase and and 27.90 ± 5.02 µg/mL in α-glucosidase. The in-silico investigation revealed that cyclolaudenol achieved docking scores of -7.94 kcal/mol for α-amylase. Likewise, the α-tocopherol achieved the docking scores of -7.41 kcal/mol for glycogen phosphorylase B and -7.21 kcal/mol for phosphorylase kinase. In the MD simulations, the cyclolaudenol and α-tocopherol complexes exhibited consistently stable affinities with diabetic proteins throughout the trajectory. Based on these findings, we conclude that this plant could be a good source for the development of novel antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic agents.

Hepatoprotective activity of medicinal plants, their phytochemistry, and safety concerns: a systematic review

Medicinal plants and their derivatives represent a promising reservoir of remedies for various ailments. Especially secondary metabolites of these plants, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, steroids, saponins, tannins, and anthraquinones, play crucial roles in hepatoprotection. Studies have identified several prominent phytoconstituents, such as silymarin, quercetin, luteolin, glycyrrhizin, curcumin, gallic acid, chebulic acid, catechin, aloin, emodin, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, cudraflavone B, and karaviloside, as effective agents for addressing hepatotoxicity. The mechanisms underlying their efficacy include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging, and the ability to block oxidative stress, cytokine production, and stabilize liver cell membranes. The application of natural products derived from medicinal plants in treating liver injuries is rooted in their efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and safety profile, contributing to their popularity. Many studies, encompassing in vitro, in vivo, preclinical, and clinical investigations, have demonstrated that the extracts of medicinal plants mitigate chemical-induced liver damage using animal models. However, intensive research efforts regarding the safety, regulatory standard, and quality control issues for using medicinal plants as hepatoprotective agents remain the strong task of scholars. The primary focus of this systematic review is to analyze the current state of the literature regarding treating liver ailments using extracts from medicinal plants, examining their phytochemical composition, and addressing associated safety considerations.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of flavonoids from Ficus carica leaves and its chemical composition, antioxidant and UVB-protective properties

This study explored the protective effects of Ficus carica leaves (FCLs) against UVB radiation. Using response surface methodology (RSM), optimal extraction conditions for flavonoids were established, yielding 35.28 mg/g. HPLC-MS/MS analysis identified the components and various tests assessed their antioxidant and UVB protective capabilities. A sunscreen formulation with 0.10 wt% FCLs achieved an SPF of 25.6, surpassing commercial products (SPF 25). Additionally, FCLs extracts reduced E. coli mortality and protected zebrafish tail fin from damage after UVB exposure. These findings suggest FCLs are promising for sunscreen and antioxidant applications and may benefit psoriasis and vitiligo treatment.

Evaluation of a Fish Gelatin-Based Edible Film Incorporated with Ficus carica L. Leaf Extract as Active Packaging

The significant concerns associated with the widespread use of petroleum-based plastic materials have prompted substantial research on and development of active food packaging materials. Even though fish gelatin-based films are appealing as active food packaging materials, they present practical production challenges. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an edible film using Ficus carica L. leaf extract (FLE), as it is affordable, accessible, and has superoxide anion radical scavenging action. This edible film was produced by adding FLE to mackerel skin gelatin at varied concentrations (2.5-10% w/w). The results showed that adding FLE to gelatin films significantly affected the tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), transmittance and transparency, solubility, water vapor permeability (WVP), antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity. Among all the samples, the most promising result was obtained for the edible film with FLE 10%, resulting in TS, EAB, solubility, WVP, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli results of 2.74 MPa, 372.82%, 36.20%, 3.96 × 10-11 g/msPa, 45.49%, 27.27 mm, and 25.10 mm, respectively. The study's overall findings showed that fish gelatin-based films incorporated with FLE are promising eco-friendly, biodegradable, and sustainable active packaging materials.