Total Alkaloid Content, Total Phenolic Content, In Vitro Antioxidant Activity, and Preliminary Antiglycemic Potential of the Methanol Extract from Mozambican Wild Fruits of Vangueria infausta

Abstract

This study investigated the antioxidant activity and alpha-amylase inhibitory potential of the methanolic extract from Vangueria infausta fruits with the aim of exploring its therapeutic and nutritional applications. Bioactive compounds such as total phenolics (TPC) and total alkaloids (TAC) were analyzed. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, Ferrozine, Phosphomolybdate, and Folin-Ciocalteu methods, while alpha-amylase inhibitory activity was determined using the 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic Acid (DNSA) and 2-chloro-p-nitrophenyl-α-D-maltotrioside (CNPG3) methods. The results revealed significant variations in antioxidant activity across the methods used, with IC50 values ranging from 318.42 to 1255.56 µg/mL. Alpha-amylase inhibition was also significant, with IC50 values ranging from 140.85 to 121.06 µg/mL. The TPC was found to be 95.6 mg of gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of dry powder, and the TAC was 0.188 mg of atropine equivalent per 100 g of dry powder. These findings suggest that Vangueria infausta possesses promising antioxidant and alpha-amylase inhibitory potential, indicating its potential application in antioxidant therapies and in the management of carbohydrate digestion.