Study of Phytochemicals of Melilotus indicus and Alpha‐Amylase and Lipase Inhibitory Activities of Its Methanolic Extract and Fractions in Different Solvents

Abstract

AbstractMelilotus indicus is used for food and medicinal purposes. The present study aimed to explore its phytochemicals and antidiabetic and anti‐obesity potential. Methanolic extract (ME) of the dried, ground herb, obtained by the Soxhlet method, was fractionated into hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, 1‐butanolic and aqueous fractions. Chromatographic techniques were used for further fractionation. The compounds identified by GC‐MS included 3‐O‐methyl‐D‐glucose, 3‐hydroxyspirost‐8‐en‐11‐one, 1‐phenanthrenecarboxylic acid‐tetradecahydro‐7‐(2‐methoxy‐2‐oxoethylidene)‐1,4a,8‐triethyl‐9‐oxo‐methylester, 3‐(1‐methylhept‐1‐enyl)‐5‐methyl‐2,5‐dihydrofuran‐2‐one, squalene, phytol, 4‐(4‐hydroxy‐2,6,6‐trimethyl‐7‐oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept‐1‐yl‐3‐buten‐2‐one, 2,4‐bis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)phenol, geranyl isovalerate and thymol. The ME and its fractions displayed porcine pancreatic alpha‐amylase inhibitory activity higher than Acarbose. Interestingly, they promoted the lipase activity showing opposite trend to that Orlistat. The plant may be used to control diabetes and in the in the promotion of lipase action.