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Screening for antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of medicinal plants traditionally used as antidiabetics in the Peruvian amazon

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus remains a major global health challenge, and medicinal plants represent promising alternatives for its prevention and management. This study evaluated antioxidant and digestive enzyme inhibitory activities of hydroalcoholic extracts from 50 plant species traditionally used as antidiabetics by Peruvian Amazonian communities. Among the twelve most active species, fourteen phenolic compounds were quantified by UHPLC-MRM-MS/MS. The results showed marked variability in antioxidant capacity and enzyme inhibition. Euterpe oleracea seeds showed the best overall results (TPC = 641.07 mg GAE g−1; DPPH = 5.12 µg mL−1; ABTS = 2.29 µg mL−1; FRAP = 14.25 µg mL−1; α-glucosidase = 0.71 µg mL−1; α-amylase = 3.88 µg mL−1), comparable to or exceeding ascorbic acid and acarbose. High levels of catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid, and chlorogenic acid were associated with the observed bioactivity. These findings highlight Amazonian plants as valuable sources of bioactive compounds for complementary type 2 diabetes management.

Source: Natural Product Research

DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2026.2649404