Chemical profiling, antioxidant capacity, and potential antihyperglycemic activity of Farsetia stylosa R.Br. methanolic extract

Context: In recent years, there has been significant focus on exploring antihyperglycemic drugs that target enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Farsetia stylosa has been used in folk medicine in the management of diabetes and has been studied once for its anti-diabetic effect on rats. Aims: To evaluate the biological potentials of F. stylosa extract through in vitro testing of its antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Furthermore, the phytochemical content of the plant and virtual assessment of its antihyperglycemic action were also examined. Methods: Antihyperglycemic activity was evaluated using α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays, antioxidant capacity was evaluated using ABTS, DPPH, TAC, and H2O2 radical scavenging assays, antimicrobial activity was determined using the agar well diffusion method, and in silico studies were performed using molecular docking simulation into the active sites of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Results: F. stylosa extract showed strong activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes (IC50 = 13.45 ± 0.39 and 0.614 ± 0.02 µg/mL, respectively) compared to the standard drug, acarbose (IC50 = 27.2 ± 0.78 and 0.375 ± 0.01 µg/mL, respectively). Investigation of the antioxidant capacity indicated mild activity in four assays. LC-HRMS analysis enabled the detection of 23 metabolites, including glucosinolates, flavonoids, amino acids, organic acids, and fatty acids. A molecular docking simulation study pointed out remarkable interactions of flavonoids with the catalytic residues of both enzymes. Conclusions: F. stylosa growing in Saudi Arabia contains variable metabolites with notable antihyperglycemic activity. These metabolites are recommended for further purification and investigation of their antidiabetic efficacy.