Phytochemicals Composition and Bioactivities of <i>Fagopyrum esculentum</i> Moench. Extract and Fractions With In Silico Insights

Leaves of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench were selected for their rich content of phytochemicals, offering potential biological activities. The aqueous residual fraction (AF) exhibited higher extraction yield (17.5%) compared with the other fractions. The highest content of phenols and flavonoids (84.27 ± 2.7 mg/g GAE and 42.57 ± 2.1 mg/g QUE, respectively) was found in AF among the different extracts. AF also showed the strong antioxidant properties (IC₅₀ of DPPH: 61.43 ± 0.58 µg/mL; FRAP: 38.14 ± 0.59 µM Fe equivalents) and anti-inflammatory activity (IC₅₀ = 69.87 ± 1.26 µg/mL). Furthermore, the α-amylase inhibition activity range varied from 19.39 ± 2.11to 55.35 ± 1.11% with an IC₅₀ value of 40.59 ± 0.03 µg/mL, compared with standard metformin (IC₅₀ = 19.88 ± 91.51 µg/mL). AF demonstrated significantly increased glucose uptake, range varied from 4.10 ± 2.32% to 60.30 ± 1.21%. AF are deemed non-toxic, as they preserve cell viability (HEK293) significantly above the IC₅₀ threshold, with 75% of cells still viable at ≤ 10 µg/mL. LC-MS study of F. esculentum identified six major compounds (syringetin, pyrazinamide, glutaconic acid, 3-sulfolactic acid, gallic acid and kaempferol). Molecular docking study of kaempferol glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) showed good binding energies and interactions. Hence, F. esculentum possesses potential antidiabetic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.