Exploring the antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials of Syzygium cumini L. landraces: phytochemicals, bioactive constituents and pathway enrichment analysis

Abstract

SummaryThis study proposes an efficient antidiabetic strategy by identifying potential mechanisms of antioxidant metabolism and α‐amylase inhibition in Syzygium cumini L. fruits. Six indigenous landraces of S. cumini were evaluated for major phytochemicals and bioactive constituents using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling and correlated with antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Black jamin landrace‐6 (BJLR‐6), characterised by small fruits, exhibited greater 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and in vitro α‐amylase inhibition, especially in the kernel. The kernel of BJLR‐6 had the lowest IC50 for DPPH radicals (4.2 μg mL−1) and α‐amylase inhibition (5.3 μg mL−1). Therapeutic compounds like terpenoids in the pulp and alkaloids in the seed contribute to their curative potential. GC–MS profiling of BJLR‐6 revealed major bioactive constituents like propanamide, allantoic acid and 2‐furancarboxaldehyde in the pulp and alkaloids such as piperazine, 3‐pyridinol, imidazole and furan carboxaldehyde in the kernel tissues. Pathway enrichment analysis of bioactive constituents emphasises antioxidant and insulin‐regulating pathways, steroid hormone metabolism and signal transduction pathways associated with therapeutic/antidiabetic activity in fruit pulp and kernel tissues. This study unveils the phytochemical composition and novel bioactive constituents in the fruit parts of small‐fruited S. cumini BJLR‐6, emphasising their potential as a better source of functional herbal formulations.