Evaluation of antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities and metabolite profiles of the fractionated extract of the Crescentia cujete Linn. fruit

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent disease that is the sixth leading cause of death in the Philippines. The fruit juice of Crescentia cujete Linn., or “miracle fruit”, is utilized by locals from Agusan del Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay in the Philippines as an anti-diabetic and antioxidant treatment alternative or additive due to the high costs of their current prescriptions. Phytochemical screening of the fruit extract indicated the presence of alkaloids and reducing sugars with trace amounts of saponins, volatile oil, tannins, and polyphenols. Hypoglycemic and antioxidant assays were utilized to determine the potential activity. Alpha-glucosidase inhibition at 10 ppm of the fruit exhibited low enzyme inhibition activity. Methanol/H₂O solvent fraction showed notable antioxidant activity in the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-PicrylHydrazyl (DPPH) assay, averaging 55.69% inhibition. For more comprehensive bioactivity comparison of C. cujete, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of α-glucosidase, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) should be identified and various concentration screening protocols for the assays should be conducted to help identify the effective enzyme inhibitory effects of the sample. Mass Spectral Library included 1-Stearoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 15(S)-15-Methyl Prostaglandin E1, and 5,6-Dihydroxy-8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatrienoic acid.