Title:Antidiabetic and Antioxidative Properties of Novel Zn(II)-cinnamic Acid Complex
Volume: 17
Issue: 8
Author(s): Chika I. Chukwuma*, Samson S. Mashele and Shasank S. Swain
Affiliation:
- Centre on Quality of Health and Living (CQHL), Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, 9300, Free State,South Africa
Keywords:
Zinc(II) acetate, cinnamic acid, Zn(II) complex, diabetes, glucose uptake, glycation.
Abstract:
Background: The role of zinc in diabetes has been a subject of considerable interest due to
the insulin-mimetic properties associated with this mineral. On the other hand, phenolic acids are
known as plant-derived polyphenols with antioxidative and antidiabetic pharmacological credence.
Objective: This study was conducted in order to develop a novel therapeutic nutraceutical with an
improved and multi-mode antidiabetic and antioxidative pharmacological property using cinnamic
acid and Zn(II) mineral framework.
Methods: A Zn(II) acetate complex of cinnamic acid was synthesized and characterized using FT-IR
and 1HNMR spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity evaluation was done using Chang liver cells and differentiated
L6 myotubes. DPPH and ABTS scavenging, as well as Fe3+ reducing effects, were used to evaluate
the antioxidant capacity. The antiglycation, as well as α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory
properties, were evaluated. Insulin mimetic property was evaluated as glucose uptake in L6 myotubes,
while the complex was docked against GLUT-4 and PKB.
Results: FTIR and 1HMR suggested that Zn(II) complexed with cinnamic acid through a Zn(O4) coordination
mode, thus affording the resulting complex 2 cinnamic acid molecules. Hence, complexation
increased (p ˂ 0.05) the antiglycation effect of cinnamic acid (IC50 = 29.3 μM) by 2 folds (IC50 =
13.9 μM). Also, Zn(II) conferred a potent glucose uptake (EC50 = 31 μM) and α-glucosidase inhibitory
(IC50 = 59.4 μM) property on cinnamic acid; hence the activity of the complex was 162 and 2.1
folds higher than (p ˂ 0.05) its precursor, respectively. Further molecular docking studies showed that
the complex had a stronger interaction with insulin signaling proteins (GLUT-4 and PKB) than its
precursor. Interestingly, the complex showed no severe cytotoxicity.
Conclusion: Data suggested a structure-activity relationship. Complexation of Zn(II) to cinnamic
acid resulted in a complex with improved and multi-facet pharmacological effects, which may be
further studied as a safe glycemic control nutraceutical for T2D and glycation-induced complications.