Senecio species are used in folk medicine in the treatment of various diseases [1-3]. Interesting, in Mongolia S. nemorensis subsp. fuchsii was used as herbal tea for the treatment of diabetes [4]. Some Senecio species, like S. inaequidens and S. vulgaris, recently, were found to be active as antidiabetic [5]. In our continuing search of hypoglycaemic compounds from Senecio species in the present investigation we have tested S. nemorensis subsp. stabianus for inhibition of -amylase and -glucosidase. The digestive enzymes inhibitory activity was analyzed in order to evaluate the potential use of this plant in the control of the high postprandial blood glucose peaks in diabetics. Dried and powdered aerial parts of S. nemorensis subsp. stabianus were extracted as previously described [6]. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids, the most characteristic secondary metabolites of the Senecio genus, suitable in literature as hepatotoxic, are easily removed by extraction with chloroform [7]. n-Hexane extract exhibited the highest activity with the IC50 of 291 g/ml. This extract submitted to column chromatography separation led to isolation of seven fractions that were tested for digestive enzymes inhibitory activity. A selective -amylase inhibition was observed (IC50 values ranging from 287 to 744 g/ml). Chemical composition of these fractions was analysed by GC-MS. The most active fraction was characterised by an high content of mono- and sesquiterpenes. References: 1. Christov V et al. Z Naturforsch [C] (2002) 57:780; 2. Bautista Peres J et al. Guia de las Plantas Medicinales de la Communidad Valenciana. Las Provincial, Valencia (1991); 3. Torres P et al. Planta Medica (1988)54:257; 4. Wiedenfeld H et al. Sci Pharm (2000) 68:207; 5.
In vitro hypoglycaemic activity of Senecio nemorensis subsp. stabianus Lacaita (Asteraceae)
TUNDIS, ROSA;LOIZZO, Monica Rosa;MARCO BONESI;CONFORTI, FILOMENA;GIANCARLO A. STATTI;
2009-01-01
Abstract
Senecio species are used in folk medicine in the treatment of various diseases [1-3]. Interesting, in Mongolia S. nemorensis subsp. fuchsii was used as herbal tea for the treatment of diabetes [4]. Some Senecio species, like S. inaequidens and S. vulgaris, recently, were found to be active as antidiabetic [5]. In our continuing search of hypoglycaemic compounds from Senecio species in the present investigation we have tested S. nemorensis subsp. stabianus for inhibition of -amylase and -glucosidase. The digestive enzymes inhibitory activity was analyzed in order to evaluate the potential use of this plant in the control of the high postprandial blood glucose peaks in diabetics. Dried and powdered aerial parts of S. nemorensis subsp. stabianus were extracted as previously described [6]. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids, the most characteristic secondary metabolites of the Senecio genus, suitable in literature as hepatotoxic, are easily removed by extraction with chloroform [7]. n-Hexane extract exhibited the highest activity with the IC50 of 291 g/ml. This extract submitted to column chromatography separation led to isolation of seven fractions that were tested for digestive enzymes inhibitory activity. A selective -amylase inhibition was observed (IC50 values ranging from 287 to 744 g/ml). Chemical composition of these fractions was analysed by GC-MS. The most active fraction was characterised by an high content of mono- and sesquiterpenes. References: 1. Christov V et al. Z Naturforsch [C] (2002) 57:780; 2. Bautista Peres J et al. Guia de las Plantas Medicinales de la Communidad Valenciana. Las Provincial, Valencia (1991); 3. Torres P et al. Planta Medica (1988)54:257; 4. Wiedenfeld H et al. Sci Pharm (2000) 68:207; 5.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.