In vitro antioxidant activities and inhibitory effects of phenolic extract of <i>Senecio biafrae</i> (Oliv and Hiern) against key enzymes linked with type <scp>II</scp> diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

The phenolic extract of <i>Senecio biafrae</i> leaves was investigated to determine the in vitro antioxidant, phenolic profiles, and inhibition of key enzymes relevant to type II diabetes mellitus (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and Alzheimer's disease (acetylcholinesterase and butrylcholinesterase). The phenolic extract demonstrated significant scavenging abilities against all in vitro antioxidant parameters assessed. Reversed-phase HPLC of the extract revealed the presence of gallic acid, chlorogenic, caffeic acid, rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol. The extract also inhibited activities of α-amylase (IC ₅₀ = 126.90 μg/ml), α-glucosidase (IC ₅₀ = 139.66 μg/ml), acetylcholinesterase (IC ₅₀ = 347.22 μg/ml), and butrylcholinesterase (IC ₅₀ = 378.79 μg/ml), which may be attributed to the antioxidant potential of the extract and its phenolic composition. Therefore, this study suggests that the leaves of <i>S. biafrae</i> may be useful in the management of diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease.