Arabian Journal of Chemistry (Jun 2023)
Phytochemical analysis and in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of Plagiorhegma dubia Maxim as a medicinal crop for diabetes treatment
Abstract
In traditional medicine, Plagiorhegma dubia Maxim (PD) is used to treat diabetes, irritability, insomnia, high fever, and coma. In this study, to identify the components in PD, we first performed three preliminary phytochemical tests, which were all positive for the presence of alkaloids. Next, we evaluated the total alkaloid content and performed 13 different in vitro antioxidant experiments for three solvent extracts of PD. According to the results, the methanol extract was selected for further research. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization Orbitrap mass spectrometry was used to identify 41 compounds in the methanol extract. Thirty-eight of these compounds were alkaloids, and the main components were magnoflorine, berberrubine, and betaine. Addition of the methanol extract to cooking oil increased the stability against oxidation and greatly reduced the peroxide value. Cell viability and oral acute toxicity studies in mice indicated that the methanol extract was relatively non-toxic. Histopathological examination and biochemical analysis showed that the methanol extract was protective against liver damage in rats induced by d-galactosamine. The methanol extract also showed a good antidiabetic effect for streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats, where it lowered blood sugar levels and protected vital organs against damage. Lipid profile parameters and oxidative stress parameters also improved. The therapeutic effects towards diabetes and liver damage were attributed to the ability of the three main components in the methanol extract to resist oxidative stress. Our results show that the alkaloid-rich methanol extract of PD is potential candidate for treatment of diseases associated with oxidative imbalances. This understanding of the hepatoprotective effect and antidiabetic activity of PD provides new insight for its use as a substitute for Coptis chinensis and establishes a foundation for development of PD as an economic crop.
