Comparative Evaluation of the Antihyperglycemic Potential of Coccinia cordifolia and Gynura procumbens Leaf Extracts: Integrated Phytochemical, In Vivo, Mol

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder defined by prolonged hyperglycemia due to deficient secretion or utilization of insulin. Although there exist various antidiabetic drugs, they are not devoid of side effects, are of low potency and expensive, thus necessitating the development of alternative natural antidiabetic remedies. The current investigation assessed the antihyperglycemic activity of Coccinia cordifolia and Gynura procumbens ethanolic leaf extracts on an STZ‐induced diabetic rat model, in conjunction with molecular docking and DFT calculations. Initial phytochemical investigations revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic, steroid compounds, saponins, and tannins in the extracts. Acute toxicity studies showed no toxicological signs when the extracts were administered up to 2 g/kg body weight. Administration of extracts orally for 14 days decreased fasting blood glucose (FBG) in a dose‐dependent fashion. At 2 g/kg body weight, the extracts of G. procumbens and C. cordifolia lowered the blood glucose by 55.74% and 52.68%, respectively, while glibenclamide, the standard drug, exhibited 61.96% reduction in blood glucose. From molecular docking, 2,5‐Dioxopyrrolidine‐1‐carboximidamide, 2,4‐Dimethylbenzo[h]quinoline, and actinobolin were established as the best bioactive compounds with higher binding affinities (−7.5 to −7.2 kcal/mol) compared to the known drug glibenclamide (−6.3 kcal/mol). In addition, favorable electronic stability and reactivity were found after conducting the DFT calculations. Overall, it can be concluded that the two plant extracts, especially G. procumbens , have promising antihyperglycemic effects and thus can act as good sources of bioactive compounds to be used as novel plant‐based antidiabetic drugs.