HPLC profiling for the simultaneous estimation of antidiabetic compounds from Tradescantia pallida

Diabetes is a long-term metabolic disease epitomized by postprandial hyperglycemia. The prolonged use of synthetic drugs renders distinct side effects, necessitating the development of safe and cost-effective substitutes. The aim of the current study is to isolate, evaluate the antidiabetic potential and HPLC method development for simultaneous estimation of antidiabetic compounds from the leaves of Tradescantia pallida. The leaves were extracted, fractionated and subjected to column chromatography. The isolated compounds' antidiabetic potential was evaluated using α-amylase and glycosylation of hemoglobin assays. The study employed molecular docking to scrutinize interactions between antidiabetic compounds and human α-amylase and hemoglobin protein. Prime MM-GBSA calculations determined binding energies of ligand–protein complexes. Further analysis of morin and catechin involved exploring dynamic and thermodynamic constraints through molecular dynamics simulations under specific biological conditions. A rapid HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of isolated compounds. The column chromatography culminated in the isolation of four antidiabetic compounds (syringic acid, catechin, p-coumaric acid and morin). The in vitro analyses revealed that morin and catechin exhibited 72.67 % and 78 % α-amylase inhibition and 67 % and 71.66 % inhibition of hemoglobin glycosylation, respectively. In silico studies substantiated the in vitro assay, confirming the stability of catechin and morin complexes via root mean square deviation analysis. Interactions, encompassing hydrophilic, hydrophobic, water bridges, and ionic interactions, identified key residues involved in these processes. The validated HPLC method exhibited excellent correlation coefficients ranged from 0.9909 to 0.9997. The antidiabetic compounds were quantified from the extract in the range of 0.072 – 0.160 µg/mL. The study concluded that the isolated compounds from Tradescantia pallida have remarkable antidiabetic activity, and the developed method can be successfully used for the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in Tradescantia pallida and other plant-derived matrix.