Background. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. and Nymphaea lotus L. var. pubescens (Willd.) are both aquatic rhizomatous perennial plants mostly found in the tropical region of Nepal, India, Bangladesh, China, and Eastern Asia. Nymphaea pubescens and Nelumbo nucifera plants are famous for their different biological activities such as antidiabetic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antidiarrheal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Objective. The present study majorly focused on the determination of in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of Nelumbo nucifera and Nymphaea pubescens. Methods. In vitro alpha-glucosidase inhibition was performed using PNPG as a substrate. Antioxidant property of the plant extract was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The aluminium trichloride method was done for the estimation of total flavonoid content. Likewise, Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was used for determining total phenolic content. Results. The total phenolic content of N. nucifera and N. pubescens was found to be 172.827 +/- 0.41 and 194.87 +/- 0.93 mg GAE/g, respectively, while the total flavonoid content was reported 17.12 +/- 1.04 and 34.59 +/- 1.73 mg QE/g, respectively. The IC50 values of the crude extract and its fractions of N. nucifera against the DPPH free radical ranged from 33.46 +/- 0.6 to 3.52 +/- 0.09 mu g/mL, while that of the N. pubescens ranged from 14.30 +/- 0.43 to 1.43 +/- 0.08 mu g/mL. Similarly, for the in vitro alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity, the IC50 of the crude extract and its fractions of N. nucifera varied from 349.86 +/- 2.91 to 29.06 +/- 0.24 mu g/mL and that of N. pubescens ranged from 224.4 +/- 6.85 to 5.29 +/- 0.39 mu g/mL. Conclusion. Both aquatic plants N. nucifera and N. pubescens show antioxidant properties and can inhibit alpha-glucosidase in in vitro. Further research is required to identify the inhibiting compounds.

Background: Essential oils (EOs) are a mixture of volatile compounds of plant origin, which possess substantial biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal activity. Objective: This study aimed to determine the chemical composition, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of essential oil isolated from Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt. Methods:: The hydro-distillation method was used for the isolation of essential oil. The chemical composition of the isolated essential oil was analyzed using the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Antioxidant activity was determined using a 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, and the IC50 value was calculated. The welldiffusion method was applied for the antibacterial activity, and the zone of inhibition (ZOI) was measured. Results: The essential oil from Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt was isolated with a 0.5% yield. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(GC-MS) analysis reported 19 different compounds, out of which, Geraniol (28.87%), Citronellal (11.85%), Citronellol (10.88%), Geranial (9.19%), trans- Geranyl acetate (9.11%), and Neral (8.02%) were found to be the major constituents. The essential oil was a promising antioxidant with an IC50 value of 0.458±0.39μg/mL compared to the standard Quercetin of 1.187±0.22μg/mL. In addition, the isolated essential oil revealed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ZOI=13.2mm), Bacillus subtilis (ZOI=9.9mm), and Enterococcus faecalis (ZOI=8.4mm). Conclusions: The essential oil isolated from Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt exhibits antioxidant and antibacterial activity, implying that it could find use in modern medicine.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia in which the blood sugar levels are increased. Nepalese medicinal plants are being used traditionally since long back in the treatment of diabetes. These plants have provided a broad research area in modern medicine development due to their potency to inhibit digestive enzymes. The isolated compounds and crude extract of these plants exhibited the property of inhibiting the digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase). Objective: This review's primary purpose is to explore the inhibitory activity of Nepal's medicinal plants against the digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) as a practical approach to control type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Twenty Nepalese medicinal plants belonging to 19 families and compounds isolated from them possessing potent inhibitory activity against digestive enzymes and are responsible for managing postprandial hyperglycemia are reviewed under this article. Methods: The scientific evidence of the tabulated medicinal plants' function in managing postprandial hyperglycemia through inhibition of digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) was carefully investigated online. As a result, searches in PubMed, Research Gate, and Google Scholar were conducted. All of the data from the various sources have been organized in a structured manner. Result and Conclusion: From the database available, twenty plants with their crude extract and some isolated compounds and their IC50 values are tabulated. Thus, these compounds could be vital components in drug design with fewer side effects and could be a replaceable agent to conquer diabetes threats.

Background: Rhus chinensis Mill, indigenous wild fruit primarily found in the hilly region of Nepal. The ripe fruit is very sour and considered medicinal as a remedy for colic pain. In addition, their astringent and styptic qualities are used internally to treat illnesses such as diarrhea and hemorrhage. Also, they are used as a common component of polyherbal medications for diabetic mellitus. Objectives: This work aimed to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant, antibacterial, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibition activity of the crude extract and fractions of Rhus chinensis Mill. Additionally, molecular docking of compounds from Rhus chinensis was performed. Methods: Folin Ciocalteu’s (FC) reagent was used for the estimation of total phenolic content. Likewise, the aluminium trichloride method was applied for the determination of total flavonoid content. For the antioxidant activity, a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay was performed. Furthermore, the substrate-based enzyme inhibition assay was carried out for α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition activity of R. chinensis. P-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (PNPG) and 2-Chloro-4-Nitrophenyl-α-D-Maltotrioside (CNPG3) were used as substrates for α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition assay, respectively. Similarly, the well-diffusion method was used for the antibacterial activity. Autodock vina was used to perform the molecular docking. Results: The total phenolic and flavonoid content of R. chinensis fruit were found 117.092±1.1 mg GAE/g and 62.41±1.23 mg QE/g, respectively. The IC50 value for antioxidant activity of the crude extract and its fractions ranged from 3.12±1.15μg/mL to 50.85±2.10μg/mL. Similarly, the IC50 for α-glucosidase inhibition ranged from2.33±1.01µg/mL to 28.34±2.79μg/mL. Likewise, The IC50 of R. chinensis crude methanolic extract against α-amylase was 120.3±1.382µg/mL. The antibacterial activity of R. chinensis was effective against gram-positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus (ZOI=11.0) and Bacillus subtilis (ZOI=9.0). Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside and Myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside showed excellent binding to the active site of protein with binding energy -9.4kcal/mol and -9.6kcal/mol, respectively. Conclusion: Rhus chinensis Mill is a potent antioxidant and inhibits enzymes; α-glucosidase and α-amylase. In addition, the methanolic extract of this plant shows antibacterial activity. However, further research is required to determine the inhibiting compounds.

Background: Diabetes has become a considerably more frequent condition and has increased alarmingly in recent years, possibly due to the adoption of modern lifestyle and food habits. The two prominent features of diabetes mellitus are high blood glucose and insulin deficiency, leading to severe consequences. Developing next-generation anti-diabetic medicines with fewer side effects has been a major focus in this situation.Objective: This research aimed to investigate the total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant, antibacterial, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibition activity, as well as in silico analysis of Mimosa pudica L.Methods: The inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase was performed using CNPG3 and PNPG, respectively. Antioxidant activity was estimated using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The well diffusion method was used for the antibacterial. Using folin- ciocalteu’s reagent, the total phenolic content was determined. The total flavonoid content was determined using the aluminium trichloride method. In addition, molecular docking was performed using autodock vina.Results: Inhibition of α-glucosidase (IC50 = 1.059±0.14μg/mL) was found to be more significant than α-amylase (IC50 = 164.9±0.95μg/mL). The plant was also found to have antioxidant activity (IC50 = 8.207 ±0.23μg/mL), as well as antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ZOI = 13mm) and Bacillus subtilis (ZOI = 10mm). Similarly, the total phenolic and flavonoid content was found to be 177.93±1.8 mg GAE/g, and 19.747±6.11 mg QE/g, respectively. In addition, compounds (stigmasterol, quercetin, and avicularin) isolated from M. pudica showed perfect binding to the enzyme’s active site.Conclusion: Mimosa pudica of Nepalese origin possess potent inhibition against digestive enzymes. Therefore, M. pudica can be used as an alternative therapeutic source to combat the global threat of diabetes.

Diabetes is a major health problem worldwide, which is increasing day by day. Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been a key source of medicinal agents, and many of them have been authorized as strong medications or drug candidates. This study evaluated the antioxidant, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibition activities of Erythropalum scandens Blume. The plant revealed the significant antioxidant and in vitro antidiabetic activity. The crude methanolic extract reported the highest antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ of 59.35±5.47μg/mL, followed by its dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EA) fractions with an IC₅₀ of 66.45±2.46μg/mL and 80.46±2.69μg/mL, respectively, as compared to the standard quercetins IC₅₀ value of 6.29±1.02μg/mL. Among the crude extract and its fractions, the EA fraction disclosed the significant inhibiting activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase with an IC₅₀ value of 17.92±0.88μg/mL and 44.51±0.12μg/mL, respectively. This research work has scientifically validated the traditional use of this plant.