First Approach to Unveiling the Antidiabetic Potential of Agave potatorum: α-Glucosidase Inhibition and Phytochemistry

Abstract

Agave potatorum Zucc. leaves infusion is used in traditional medicine to treat type II diabetes mellitus, however, there are no studies that validate this use. Therefore, this work aims to evaluate the potential antidiabetic activity of A. potatorum leaves infusion from one to eight years old by assessing the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC)‒bioautography and spectrophotometry using acarbose as a positive control were used to assay the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The phytochemical constituents responsible for the inhibition detected by bioautography were assayed with qualitative phytochemical screening methods. Regardless of the age of the agave, all leaves possess secondary metabolites (SM) capable of inhibiting α-glucosidase, according to the bioautography assay and the inhibition determined by UV-vis. The inhibition values of infusions at 2 mg/mL showed that for agave aged 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 years old the inhibition was higher than 50 %, in the same range as acarbose at the same concentration. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of terpenes and phenolic compounds like tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, phenol carboxylic acids, and coumarins in the inhibition zones of the bioautography assay. Therefore, the antidiabetic activity of A. potatorum reported in traditional medicine is achieved through the inhibition of the enzyme α-glucosidase by the diverse secondary metabolites in leaves.