Rauf_2024_Food.Sci.Nutr_12_3483

Acacia nilotica L., also known as babul, belonging to the Fabaceae family and the Acacia genus, is typically used for ornamental purposes and also as a medicinal plant found in tropical and subtropical areas. This plant is a rich source of bioactive compounds. The current study aimed to elucidate the hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective potential of A. nilotica's crude methanolic extract. The results of the in vitro antidiabetic assay revealed that methanolic extract of A. nilotica inhibited the enzyme alpha-glucosidase (IC(50): 33 microg mL(-1)) and alpha-amylase (IC(50): 17 microg mL(-1)) in a dose-dependent manner. While in the anticholinesterase enzyme inhibitory assay, maximum inhibition was shown by the extract against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (637.01 microg mL(-1)) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) (491.98 microg mL(-1)), with the highest percent inhibition of 67.54% and 71.50% at 1000 microg mL(-1), respectively. This inhibitory potential was lower as compared to the standard drug Galantamine that exhibited 82.43 and 89.50% inhibition at the same concentration, respectively. Moreover, the methanolic extract of A. nilotica also significantly inhibited the activities of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) in a concentration-dependent manner. The percent inhibitory activity of 5-LOX and COX-2 ranged from 42.47% to 71.53% and 43.48% to 75.22%, respectively. Furthermore, in silico, in vivo, and clinical investigations must be planned to validate the above-stated bioactivities of A. nilotica.