The Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Properties and Phytochemical Profile of Clusia latipes Extracts

Introduction: The prevalence of diabetes has increased more rapidly in low and middleincome countries than in high-income countries. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), which is the most common form of diabetes, is caused by the inefficient use of insulin in the body and is characterized by disrupted insulin action or secretion. Also, oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of disease. The goal of this study is to identify the antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties of Clusia latipes, an endemic species of Central and South America. Methods: The antioxidant and hypoglycemic capacity of the extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) of the leaves and stems of Clusia latipes were evaluated. From the most potent extract, the phytochemical study was carried out and fractionated. Antioxidant activity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), while hypoglycemic capacity was measured by alpha-glucosidase inhibition. Results: The extracts with the highest antioxidant capacity are the extracts with the highest α-glucosidase inhibition activity. Inhibitory activity increased in samples extracted with medium polar (ethyl acetate) and polar (methanol) solvents. Phytochemical screening of these extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids/xanthones, quinones, saponins, and tannins. The highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was detected in the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from leaf methanol extract, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 0.90 μg/ml. The major constituent isolated from the same fraction was isoquercitrin.