Abstract:
Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Ammania aegyptiaca ethanol extract (AEEE)
showed high concentrations of polyphenol and flavonoid content, with notable antioxidant activity.
Undescribed acylated diglucoside flavonol myricetin 3-O-β-
4C1
-(600
-O-galloyl glucopyranoside) 7-O-
β-
4C1
-glucopyranoside (MGGG) was isolated from the aerial parts of AEEE, along with four known
polyphenols that had not been characterized previously from AEEE. The inhibitory effects of MGGG,
AEEE, and all compounds against α-amylase, pancreatic lipase and β-glucosidase were assessed. In
addition, molecular docking was used to determine the inhibition of digestive enzymes, and this
confirmed that the MGGG interacted strongly with the active site residues of these enzymes, with
the highest binding free energy against α-amylase (−8.99 kcal/mol), as compared to the commercial
drug acarbose (−5.04 kcal/mol), thus justifying its use in the potential management of diabetes.
In streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, AEEE significantly decreased high serum glucose,
α-amylase activity and serum liver and kidney function markers, as well as increasing insulin blood
level. Moreover, AEEE improved the lipid profile of diabetic animals, increased superoxide dismutase
(SOD) activity, and inhibited lipid peroxidation. Histopathological studies proved the decrease in
pancreas damage and supported the biochemical findings. These results provide evidence that AEEE
and MGGG possess potent antidiabetic activity, which warrants additional investigation.
