Phytochemical Analysis, α-Glucosidase and Amylase Inhibitory, and Molecular Docking Studies on Persicaria hydropiper L. Leaves Essential Oils

Objective. Medicinal plants and essentials oils are well known for diverse biological activities including antidiabetic potential. This study was designed to isolate essential oils from the leaves of Persicaria hydropiper L. (P. hydropiper), perform its phytochemical analysis, and explore its in vitro antidiabetic effects. Materials and Methods. P. hydropiper leaves essential oils (Ph.Los) were extracted using a hydrodistillation apparatus and were subjected to phytochemical analysis using the gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Ph.Lo was tested against two vital enzymes including α-glucosidase and α-amylase which are important targets in type-2 diabetes. The identified compounds were tested using in silico approaches for their binding affinities against the enzyme targets using MOE-Dock software. Results. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 141 compounds among which dihydro-alpha-ionone, cis-geranylacetone, α-bulnesene, nerolidol, β-caryophyllene epoxide, and decahydronaphthalene were the most abundant compounds. Ph.Lo exhibited considerable inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase enzyme with 70% inhibition at 1000 μg mL−1 which was the highest tested concentration. The inhibitory activity of positive control acarbose was 77.30 ± 0.61% at the same tested concentration. Ph.Lo and acarbose exhibited IC50 of 170 and 18 µg mL−1 correspondingly. Furthermore, dose-dependent inhibitions were observed for Ph.Lo against α-amylase enzyme with an IC50 of 890 μg mL−1. The top-ranked docking conformation was observed for β-caryophyllene epoxide with a docking score of -8.3182 against α-glucosidase, and it has established seven hydrogen bonds and one H-pi interaction at the active site residues (Phe 177, Glu 276, Arg 312, Asp 349, Gln 350, Asp 408, and Arg 439). Majority of the identified compounds fit well in the binding pocket of Tyr 62, Asp 197, Glu 233, Asp 300, His 305, and Ala 307 active residues of α-amylase. β-Caryophyllene epoxide was found to be the most active inhibitor with a docking score of -8.3050 and formed five hydrogen bonds at the active site residues of α-amylase. Asp 197, Glu 233, and Asp 300 active residues were observed to be making polar interactions with the ligand. Conclusions. The current study revealed that Ph.Lo is rich in bioactive metabolites which might contribute to its enzyme inhibitory potential. Inhibition of these enzymes is the key target in reducing postprandial hyperglycemia. However, further detailed in vivo studies are required for their biological and therapeutic activities.