Alpha-glucosidase inhibition and antioxidant activity of Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman seeds: GC-MS-based profiling of the active metabolites and molecular docking study

The present study aims to uncover the alpha-gluco­sidase inhibition (AGI) and antioxidant activities of Ensete superbum seed extract. The AGI activity of crude extract (IC₅₀ = 0.17 mg/ml) and silica gel column purified fraction (ESSFR4; IC₅₀ = 0.02 mg/ml) was excellent when compared to acarbose (IC₅₀ = 1720 mg/ml). Also, the free-radical scavenging ability of ESSFR4 was comparable to ascorbic acid. Among the five compounds identified from ESSFR4, pentasiloxane, dodecamethyl and 2,4-hexadienedioic acid, bis(trimethylsilyl) ester, had the best binding affinities against human and yeast AG enzymes respectively. However, ADME/toxicity evaluation of these five compounds revealed that they would require further structural scrutiny and in vivo studies before recommending them as an alternative to the present AGIs to treat type-2 diabetes.