LC-ESI-MS analysis, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and molecular docking studies on Corchorus depressus (L.) C.Chr

The present study encompasses the ethnomedicinal consumption of Corchorus depressus (L.) C.Chr. (C. depressus) for diabetes. Samples were subjected to LC-ESI-MS analyses. The n-hexane, methanolic and water extracts were screened for alpha-glucosidase inhibition and in vivo anti-diabetic studies. Further, antioxidant (DPPH) and anti-inflammatory study was performed via luminol-enhanced chemi-luminescence assay. The identified compounds were docked against the target enzymes of diabetes. The n-hexane fraction (CD-J1) showed IC50 of 8.4 +/- 0.1 mu g/mL against alpha-glucosidase enzyme. The sub fractions CD-12 and CD-13 of CD-J1 obtained after flash column chromatography displayed further reduced IC50 values of 4.3 +/- 0.1 and 6.3 +/- 0.1, respectively, as compared with standard drug acarbose (IC50 values of 37.5 +/- 0.2 mu g/mL). Simultaneously, dereplication of most active sub-fraction CD-12 by LC-ESI-MS led to the identification of strophanthidin and some other active metabolites responsible for anti-diabetic activity. Molecular docking of strophanthidin with alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase revealed high affinity for these target enzymes.

Automated summary

The present study investigates the potential of Corchorus depressus (L.) C.Chr. (C. depressus) for treating diabetes. Analysis of different extracts revealed their active components and inhibitory effects, providing insights into the anti-diabetic mechanisms. Furthermore, the active sub-fraction was isolated, identified, and found to have high affinity for diabetes-related target enzymes through docking experiments.