Title:In Silico and In Vivo Studies of Decursin Isolated From the Ethanolic
Extract of Feronia elephantum Correa (Rutaceae) Bark as a Potential Antidiabetic
and Antihyperlipidemic Agents in STZ-induced Diabetic Rats
Volume: 20
Issue: 5
Author(s): Sunayana Vikhe*, Rahul Kunkulol and Dipak Raut
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Pravara Rural College of Pharmacy, Loni, Maharashtra, 413736, India
Keywords:
α-amylase, α-glucosidase, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV, glucokinase, HMG-CoA, NPC1L1.
Abstract:
Background: Feronia elephantum (Rutaceae), frequently named wood apple, is a preferable
medicinal plant. In Ayurveda, its bark has been recommended for treating diabetes. In addition, it is one
of the active chemical constituents, decursin, shown in recent research to significantly impact colon cancer,
breast cancer, Alzheimer's disease, inflammation, and ulcerative colitis.
Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate the traditional use of Feronia elephantum bark
in streptozotocin-induced diabetes and lipid-lowering action in rats. Decursin has been isolated from the
bark and tested for in vitro and in vivo biological activities.
Methods: The Soxhlet extraction method obtained the ethanolic extract, and fractionation was done with
column chromatography and TLC. The structure of isolated decursin has been confirmed by Fourier
transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
Results: The decursin noticeably depletes increased blood glucose levels and positively affects altered
lipid profiles after administering a dose of 150 mg/kg orally compared with the hypoglycemic drug metformin.
In molecular docking simulations, decursin exhibited excellent inhibition of α-amylase, dipeptidyl
peptidase-IV, and moderate activity against α-glucosidase and glucokinase. Furthermore, the enzymes 3-
hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A and Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 are ideal targets to control hyperlipidemia
and have shown moderate inhibition by decursin.
Conclusion: From these results, it has been concluded that decursin is the perfect candidate for further
optimization as a lead molecule to treat diabetes and hyperlipidemia.