Alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity of christia vespertilionis leaves extracts: virtual screening

Christia vespertilionis is a medicinal plant belonging to the Fabaceae family and traditionally consumed to manage diabetes. The present study aimed to screen the antidiabetic property by evaluating the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of multiple C. vespertilionis leaves extracts. C. vespertilionis leaves extracts were prepared using ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate: hexane, ethyl acetate: methanol, methanol, and hexane solvents and screened via α-glucosidase inhibitory assay, using quercetin as the positive control. Potential compounds present in the plant leaves that were reported previously were subjected to molecular docking simulation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae isomaltase (PDB code: 3A4A). The leaves extracts showed the IC50 values of α-glucosidase ranging from 0.195 mg/mL to 0.416mg/mL with ethyl acetate:hexane extract exhibiting highest inhibitory activity with the lowest  IC50 value of 0.195 ± 0.004 mg/mL. Some of the compounds reported in previous studies such as quercetin 3-0-glucoside, oleanolic acid methyl ester, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, geraniol and 2’-hydroxygenistein have shown potential binding energy level during interaction with the protein involving residues such as GLN279, GLN 353, THR306, ASP352 and ASN350 with hydrogen bond, while PHE303 and GLH277 with hydrophobic contact. The results have suggested that C. vespertilionis leaves has the potential to manage the hyperglycemia via α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and further study to identify potential inhibitors may enhance its use in pharmaceutical application.