Phytochemical profiling and evaluation of in-vitro antidiabetic effects of Pyracantha crenulata (D. Don) M. Roem. fruit extracts

Background: Pyracantha crenulata (D. Don) M. Roem. is a species of flowering plant, commonly known as Nepalese or Himalayan firethorn, and belongs to the Rosaceae family. Various species of the genus Pyracantha have been reported to reveal antidiabetic activity. The literature suggests that the fruits are conventionally used to reduce blood sugar levels, warranting further research. Therefore, this research provides valuable insights into phytochemical profiling and antidiabetic potential of different extracts of Pyracantha crenulata (D. Don) M. Roem fruits with in vitro models via alpha (α)-amylase and alpha (α)-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assay. Methodology: The successive extraction of Pyracantha crenulata (D. Don) M. Roem fruit was carried out by using different solvents with increasing polarity, including n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and distilled water (dH2O) via the Soxhlet extraction technique. The distinct unprocessed extracts were then subjected to a qualitative/quantitative phytochemical investigation of phytonutrients, followed by an assessment of their in vitro antidiabetic potential. Results and Discussion: The results concluded that phytocompounds, including flavonoids, phenols, steroids, and tannins, were tentatively identified in this plant. The extracts inhibit alpha (α)-glucosidase and alpha (α)-amylase enzymes in a dose-dependent way. Among all the extracts, the ethanolic extract exhibited potent anti-diabetic activity, with an IC50 of 44.79 µg/ml at 100 µg/ml in the α-amylase inhibitory assay and 30.09 µg/ml at 100 µg/ml in the α-glucosidase inhibitory assay, which is comparable to that of the standard acarbose. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that ethanolic fruit extract ameliorates hyperglycemia by releasing bioactive substances, providing a rationale for its traditional use as a natural hypoglycemic agent.