Phytochemical Profiling and Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitory Activity of Flacourtia inermis Roxb. Fruits

Objectives: The present research work was carried out to explore the potential use Flacourtia inermis [FI] fruits for the prevention and treatment of obesity through pancreatic lipase inhibition in vitro. The study also aimed to investigate the chemical profiling of ethanol extract of FI using High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), High-Resolution Liquid Chromatography (HR-LC/MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR). Materials and Methods: Dried fruits of Flacourtia inermis were pulverised and subsequently extracted using various solvents in sequential steps of increasing polarity, such as hexane, ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water. After phytochemical analysis by preliminary chemical testing various extracts were evaluated for their ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase, and the ethanol extract was found to have an IC₅₀ close to that of reference drug orlistat. The most potent ethanol extract was analysed by HPTLC and separated through column chromatography, and further analysis was performed by HR-LC/MS and 1H-NMR techniques. Results: The presence of various phytoconstituents in this plant was detected using different types of analytical techniques. PL lipase inhibitory activity was observed in extracts in a dose dependent manner. Performing PL inhibition assay, it was found that the ethanol fruit extracts have lipase inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 377.15 μg/ml. HPTLC finger printing of the ethanol extract showed the presence of various bioactice compounds. HR-LC/MS study of the most active ethanol extract indicated the presence of different phytochemicals, such as phenolics and flavonoids. Column chromatographic separation of ethanol fruit extract of FI followed by structural elucidation using various spectral studies demonstrated the presence of two compounds namely myricetin and quinic acid. Conclusion: The study suggests that the edible fruits of Flacourtia inermis have the potential to inhibit pancreatic lipase enzyme and therefore, may be recommended for the management of obesity. Additionally, our research sheds light on the phytochemistry of flacourtia species and may lead to the development of novel chemical entities as potential pancreatic lipase inhibitors.