Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profiling of Morinda pubescence Extract as Potential Agent for Alzheimer’s and Diabetes Mellitus Dual Therapy

Background: Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that metabolic disturbances associated with the Diabetes Mellitus (DM) are recognized to be linked with brain atrophy as well as the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Therefore, development of multi-targeted agents found to be one of the best options to combat co-occurring disorders like DM and AD concurrently. These enthused us to investigate the potency of M. pubescence against Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), α-Glucosidase and β-Glucosidase enzymes, important pathological targets of AD and DM. Objectives: In this study, methanolic extract (MPM) and its derived fractions of Morinda pubescence were assessed for their capacities to inhibit target enzymes AChE, BuChE and α- and β- glucosidases and the active fraction was also screened for its phytoconstituents. Materials and Methods: Methanolic extract (MPM) and chloroform fraction (MPC) were evaluated for their inhibitory capacities against AChE and BuChE, and α- and β-glucosidases besides kinetic analysis of inhibition using methods of Elmann and Shibano, respectively. Antioxidant ability was estimated by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. Cytotoxicity and neuroprotective abilities were tested by the MTT assay using human nueroblastoma cell lines. Phytochemical screening was done with the aid of spectrophotometric methods. Results: The MPC of titled plant had prominent inhibitory potencies against AChE, BuChE, α- and β-glucosidase enzymes. Kinetic study inferred the pattern of inhibition as mixed. Significant DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were found for MPC (86.95±1.9 mg TE/g and 3.6±0.1mg AAE/g). In MTT assay, the active MPC fraction disclosed remarkable cell viability and neuroprotective abilities in SK-N-SH cells. Phytochemical profiling showed that the fraction MPC had highest amount of flavonoids (41.9±1.8 mg RE/g dry matter) and phenolics (85.5±0.98 mg GAE/g dry matter) and had the significant impact on enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Conclusion: The results provided valuable evidence for the potential of chloroform fractions of methanolic extract of M. pubescence as prospective material for further development of multifunctional agents to control both Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) simultaneously.