GC-MS Analysis, Antioxidant, and Antidiabetic Properties of Methanol Extract of Annona muricata L. Leaves - An In vitro and In silico Study

Abstract

Abstract: The Annona muricata L. leaves have been long employed in the traditional remedy of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its comorbidities. Different analytical techniques were used to evaluate the methanol extract of this plant part. In vitro antidiabetic assays of A. muricata extract were analysed using α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition tests. Employing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the primary bioactive components of the methanol extract were identified. Additionally, molecular docking experiments regarding the identified compounds were performed by silicification of UCFS Chimera, Autodock Vina, and BIOVIA Discovery Studio software. The total phenolic content of the A. muricata leaf extract was 14.83 mg GAE/g and the total flavonoids 34.22 mg QE/g. The plant extract showed concentration-dependent ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) when compared with the standard ascorbic acid whereas significant radical scavenging activity was exhibited through the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) assay with IC50 of 0.202 μg/mL. Ten compounds were revealed by GC-MS analysis, and they exhibited a favourable quantity (area %). The extract inhibited α-amylase enzymes with a range of 36.52% - 67.30% as well as α-glucosidase enzymes with a range of 42.68 - 72.80% at different doses (15 μg/mL - 240 μg/mL) and performed well compared to the conventional drug acarbose. The high binding affinity of plant phytochemicals to α-amylase and α-glucosidase and their acceptable pharmacokinetic characteristics further suggested a prospective therapeutic relevance. According to our investigations, the leaves of A. muricata can be used to develop drugs with high antioxidant potential. However, adequate scientific data is needed for A. muricata's therapeutic use, as well as further clinical and in vivo research both for toxicological and pharmacological evaluation.