Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Mill., a traditional medicinal plant of the Rhamnaceae family, was examined by inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase, the phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity and in vitro antidiabetic potential. Sequential solvent extraction of ethanolic leaf extracts produced a rich profile of secondary metabolites including flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids and terpenoids, as determined by qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening. Total phenolic content was measured at 151.21 ± 7.78 mg GAE/g with flavonoids at 34.90 ± 3.67 mg. QE/g/High quantities of phenolics and flavonoids were responsible for the dose-dependent radical neutralization shown by antioxidant activity, which was evaluated using DPPH scavenging and reducing power tests. The extract showed considerable inhibition of α-glucosidase (IC50 = 1.44 ± 0.01 mg/mL) and α-amylase (IC50 = 1.61 ± 0.05 mg/mL), indicating that it may be able to control postprandial hyperglycemia. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed 38 chemicals that supported the plant's bioactivity including fatty acids (linolenic acid), nitrogen-containing heterocycles and phytosterols (campesterol, γ-sitosterol). These findings validate the ethnomedicinal use of Z. oenoplia for diabetes management and highlight its therapeutic promise, warranting further in vivo and mechanistic studies.
Khan et al. (Tue,) studied this question.