Abstract
Medicinal plants are a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals or bionutrients. Studies carried out during the past few decades have shown that these phytochemicals play an important role in preventing metabolic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The present study was dedicated to the analysis of mineral and chemical composition and evaluation of antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of aqueous and organic extracts of Leopoldia comosa, a plant with a long history of therapeutic and food use. Mineral content was determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Chemical composition was carried out by extraction of essential oils, preparation of aqueous and organic extracts, and qualitative and quantitative analysis. The biological study consisted of the evaluation of antidiabetic activity by inhibition of three enzymes, antioxidant activity by five tests, and antibacterial activity by the disc diffusion method. The correlation between chemical composition and antidiabetic and antioxidant properties was explored by PCA. The results showed that L. comosa contains high levels of Fe, K, P, Na, Cu, Mg, and Ca with values, respectively, in the order of 33552, 1843.14, 756.36, 439.65, 303.9, 272.37, and 20.55 mg/kg. Quantitative analysis showed that the diethyl ether extract had the highest content of polyphenols (129.75 ± 0.29 µg GAE/mg E), flavonoids (988.26 ± 0.18 µg QE/mg E), and tannins (30.22 ± 0.15 µg CE/mg E). All extracts of L. comosa possess inhibitory activity of alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and beta-galactosidase enzymes, mainly the decocted and the acetone extract. The antioxidant results showed that organic extracts are more active than aqueous extracts especially diethyl ether extract which was similarly found to have an antibacterial effect on Listeria innocua and Proteus mirabilis. PCA allowed us to deduce that phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins are strongly correlated with antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. L. comosa may have potential remedy in the prevention of metabolic disease.
Highlights
Biological systems are continuously exposed to oxidants, either generated endogenously by metabolic reactions or exogenously, such as air pollutants
Mineral Content of Leopoldia comosa (L.). e analysis of the mineral composition of L. comosa bulbs (potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), and zinc (Zn) was determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy ((ICP-AES) HORIBA JOBIN YVON) as previously described [17]. us, 0.5 mg of L. comosa bulbs was digested with nitric acid and perchloric acid (25%: 75%) solution, before being incinerated at 110°C, and brought back dry until the mineralization was discolored on a sand bath. e residue was dissolved in 10 mL HCL (5%), and the contents were filtered through 0.45 μm porosity filters until a clear solution was obtained
Yields of Aqueous and Organic Extractions of Leopoldia comosa (L.) Bulbs. e extraction yield is the ratio between the weight of the compounds or substances that can be extracted depending on the nature of the solvent used, the extraction method, and the nature of the plant material used, whether dry or fresh. e yield is expressed as a percentage and is calculated by the following formula: R
Summary
Biological systems are continuously exposed to oxidants, either generated endogenously by metabolic reactions or exogenously, such as air pollutants. Reactive oxygen species such as the superoxide anion (O2°) and the hydroxyl radical (OH), are very unstable species with unpaired electrons, capable of initiating the oxidation of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids leading to alterations in cell structures and mutagenesis [1, 2]. Experimental studies have reported that the overproduction of free radicals with a deficiency of antioxidants is involved in the development of diabetes [3,4,5]. In Morocco, between 2011 and 2015, the number of diabetics has increased from 1.5 million to more than 2 million, i.e., 25% more in 5 years. In Morocco, between 2011 and 2015, the number of diabetics has increased from 1.5 million to more than 2 million, i.e., 25% more in 5 years. 80% of diabetes cases are type 2 [8]
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