Exploring α-Glucosidase Inhibitory, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Properties of Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a rapidly escalating global health concern, and numerous ethnobotanical remedies are under investigation for their antidiabetic properties. Tinospora sinensis has long been used in traditional medicine by indigenous populations for glycemic control. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical profile of T. sinensis and evaluate its in vitro α- glucosidase inhibitory activity, as well as assess its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Methods: Standard qualitative assays were used to identify secondary metabolites. Total phenolic content (TPC) was quantified via Folin–Ciocalteu reagent (expressed as mg gallic acid equivalents GAE/g), and total flavonoid content (TFC) via aluminum chloride colorimetry (mg quercetin equivalents QE/g). Antioxidant potential was determined using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. α-Glucosidase inhibition was measured spectrophotometrically using p-nitrophenyl-α-Dglucopyranoside as a substrate. Antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus was tested using the agar well diffusion technique. Results: Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, saponins, phenols, tannins, steroids, and quinones. TPC and TFC values were 181.41 ± 1.57 mg GAE/g and 12.08 ± 0.11 mg QE/g, respectively. The methanolic extract demonstrated considerable antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 111.43 ± 1.13 μg/mL). Discussion: Both crude and ethyl acetate extracts exhibited significant α-glucosidase inhibition (comparable or superior to control). Notable antibacterial activity was observed against S. aureus, with a 9 mm inhibition zone. result: The qualitative phytonutrient screening of T. sinensis reveals the presence of various biochemical compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, saponins, phenolic groups, tannins, steroids, and quinones. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) in the crude extract of T. sinensis were determined to be 181.41 ± 1.57 mg GAE/g and 12.08 ± 0.11 mg QE/g, respectively. Among the extracts from three different fractions, the methanolic extract demonstrated the strongest antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 111.43 ± 1.13 µg/mL. The crude extract of T. sinensis exhibited significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 36.40 ± 0.35 µg/mL. Similarly, the ethyl acetate fraction from T. sinensis showed α-glucosidase inhibition with an IC50 value of 34.02 ± 1.13 µg/mL. Additionally, this plant displayed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, with a zone of inhibition (ZOI) measuring 9 mm. Conclusion: The presence of diverse bioactive phytochemicals in T. sinensis supports its traditional use in diabetes management. Its potent α-glucosidase inhibition suggests a mechanism for attenuating postprandial hyperglycemia, while antioxidant and antimicrobial activities substantiate additional therapeutic roles. These findings warrant further in vivo studies and mechanistic exploration to validate its potential as a source of enzyme inhibitors and therapeutic agents for metabolic disorders.