Chronic hypoglycemic effect and phytochemical composition of Smilax moranensis roots

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Smilax moranensis M.Martens & Galeotti, Smilacaceae, root is a medicinal plant used among the Chatinos in Oaxaca, Mexico, to control type 2 diabetes. The objectives of the study were to isolate the bioactive compounds from the roots of Smilax and evaluate the chronic hypoglycemic effect of the ethanol-water extract. The main compounds were isolated from the methanolic extract via conventional phytochemical methods. The dried roots of S. moranensis were extracted with methanol and chromatographed on Sephadex LH 20. Fractions were chromatographed and purified on a silica gel chromatography column. The ethanol-water extract was orally administered to hyperglycemic rats for a period of 42 days, and glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and triacylglycerides were measured. Moreover, very-low-density lipoprotein was calculated. During the chemical investigation, three compounds were isolated and characterized, namely, 3-O-caffeoyl-quinic acid, 5-O-caffeoyl-quinic acid and trans-resveratrol, using various spectroscopic techniques. Animal experiments confirmed that the plant extract could control both the glucose and HbA1c levels. In conclusion, this study confirms that the roots of S. moranensis have hypoglycemic properties and suggests that the isolated compounds are potentially involved in this effect.