Antioxidant constituents in the dayflower (Commelina communis L.) and their alpha-glucosidase-inhibitory activity

J Nat Med. 2008 Jul;62(3):349-53. doi: 10.1007/s11418-008-0244-1. Epub 2008 Apr 15.

Abstract

The dayflower, Commelina communis L., contains 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) and (2R,3R,4R,5R)2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidine (DMDP), potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. The extracts and powder of this herb are important food materials for prophylaxis against type 2 diabetes. Eleven flavonoid glycosides as antioxidants, isoquercitrin, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside, glucoluteolin, chrysoriol-7-O-beta-D-glucoside, orientin, vitexin, isoorientin, isovitexin, swertisin, and flavocommelin, were identified from the aerial parts of C. communis. Their antioxidant activities were measured using in vitro assays employing the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical- and superoxide radical-scavenging assays. The results showed that glucoluteolin, orientin, isoorientin, and isoquercitrin are the predominant antioxidants in this herb. Moreover, isoquercitrin, isorhamnetine-3-O-rutinoside, vitexin, and swertisin inhibited the activity of alpha-glucosidase from rat intestine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Commelina / chemistry*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / prevention & control
  • Flavonoids / isolation & purification
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Free Radical Scavengers / isolation & purification
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors*
  • Glycosides / isolation & purification
  • Glycosides / pharmacology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestines / enzymology
  • Plant Components, Aerial
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Superoxides / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Flavonoids
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
  • Glycosides
  • Plant Extracts
  • Superoxides