Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and α-Glucosidase-Inhibiting Activity of Aqueous and Hydroethanolic Extracts of Traditional Antidiabetics from Croatian Ethnomedicine

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic disease with growing prevalence worldwide. In addition to the conventional therapy, many T2D patients use phytotherapeutic preparations. present study, chemical composition, antioxidant, and α-glucosidase inhibiting activity of traditional antidiabetics from Croatian ethnomedicine (Achillea millefolium, Artemisia absinthium, Centaurium erythraea, Morusalba, Phaseolus vulgaris, Sambucus nigra, Salvia officinalis) were assessed. The efficacy water 80% ethanol as extraction solvents for bioactive constituents was compared. HPLC analysis revealed that prepared extracts rich in phenols, especially rutin, ferulic, chlorogenic acid. Antiradical (against DPPH ABTS radicals), reducing (towards Mo6+ Fe3+ ions), enzyme properties linear correlation content phenolic constituents. Ethanolic extracts, richer substances, showed dominant those assays. Aqueous on other hand, better Fe2+ ion chelators more active β-carotene linoleic acid assay. Extracts S. officinalis A. millefolium particularly antioxidants inhibitors. another potent inhibitor, contained chromium, mineral promotes insulin action. investigated plants significant amounts minerals useful management T2D, negligible heavy metals deeming them safe human use.