Isolation and Identification of Novel Anti-Diabetic Compounds from Parthenium hysterophorus with Potential Anti-Diabetic Value

Abstract

The global burden of diabetes mellitus continues to escalate, underscoring the urgent need for safer, cost-effective, and mechanism-driven therapeutic alternatives. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize novel anti-diabetic compounds from Parthenium hysterophorus, an ethnomedicinal plant known for its traditional use in managing hyperglycemia. Successive Soxhlet extraction was performed using chloroform, methanol, and water. Preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids and polyphenols across all extracts, with the methanolic extract exhibiting the richest phytoconstituent profile. Bioactivity-guided fractionation via column chromatography led to the isolation of a prominent bioactive fraction (F4), which was subjected to structural elucidation using UV-Vis, FTIR, ¹H NMR, GC-MS, and HPLC. Spectral analyses revealed that the compound was Parthenin, a sesquiterpene lactone bearing characteristic γ-lactone and hydroxyl functionalities. FTIR confirmed key groups (C=O, C=C, –OH), while NMR data supported a pseudoguaianolide skeleton. GC-MS identified several other supportive bioactives including β-sitosterol, phytol, and caryophyllene oxide. HPTLC and HPLC fingerprinting validated the chemical consistency and purity of the isolated compound. In vitro α-amylase inhibition assays demonstrated potent anti-diabetic activity, with the methanolic extract achieving 74.2% inhibition at 100 µg/mL, closely approaching the efficacy of standard Acarbose (84.5%). These results affirm Parthenium hysterophorus as a viable natural source of anti-diabetic agents, with Parthenin as a promising lead molecule.