In Vitro Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Evaluation of Abrus precatorius Leaf

Diabetes mellitus is a major metabolic disorder associated with impaired glucose regulation and oxidative stress, creating a need for plant-derived agents with antioxidant and carbohydrate-modulating properties. This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of ethanol leaf extract of Abrus precatorius. We extracted the leaves by cold maceration in ethanol and evaluated the resulting extract for DPPH radical-scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), α-amylase inhibition, α-glucosidase inhibition, and glucose adsorption capacity. DPPH radical-scavenging activity increased from 11.55 ± 0.65% at 10 mg/mL to 54.05 ± 0.65% at 80 mg/mL, while FRAP activity increased progressively from 33.75 ± 0.34% at 40 mg/mL to 68.55 ± 0.25% at 160 mg/mL. The extract inhibited α-amylase activity, with inhibition values ranging from 33.94 ± 0.61% to 45.32 ± 0.43% across the tested concentrations, although these values were significantly lower than those obtained with acarbose (p < 0.001). α-Glucosidase inhibition increased from 39.89 ± 0.27% at 40 mg/mL to 56.09 ± 0.66% at 80 mg/mL, also remaining lower than acarbose. Under the tested conditions, the extract's glucose adsorption capacity ranged from 5.13 ± 0.08 to 6.50 ± 0.08 mmol/g. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant effects of concentration and sample type on the evaluated antidiabetic parameters (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that A. precatorius leaf extract possesses concentration-dependent antioxidant activity and moderate carbohydrate-digestive enzyme inhibitory potential, supporting its further investigation as a potential source of bioactive compounds for diabetes management.

Diabetes, oxidative stress, Abrus precatorius

1. Ajah, O., Obike, C. A., Uhuo, E. N., Chukwu, C. N., Anyiam, P. N., Alaebo, P. O., Unegbu, C. C., Nnaoma, I. E., Nnorom, C. M., Egbuonu, A. C. C., & Okechukwu, J. N. (2026). Antihyperglycemic effect, antioxidant and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitory potential of Pteridium aquilinum flavonoid-rich extract. Discover Chemistry, 3, 267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44371-026-00714-5. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Boye, A., Acheampong, D. O., Gyamerah, E. O., Asiamah, E. A., Addo, J. K., Mensah, D. A., ... & Ayiku, P. J. (2020). Glucose-lowering and pancreato-protective effects of Abrus precatorius (L.) leaf extract in normoglycemic and STZ/Nicotinamide–Induced diabetic rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 258, 112918. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Boye, A., Barku, V. Y. A., Acheampong, D. O., & Ofori, E. G. (2021). Abrus precatorius Leaf Extract Reverses Alloxan/Nicotinamide‐Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats through Hormonal (Insulin, GLP‐1, and Glucagon) and Enzymatic (α‐Amylase/α‐Glucosidase) Modulation. BioMed Research International, 2021(1), 9920826. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Gul, M. Z., Ahmad, F., Kondapi, A. K., Qureshi, I. A., & Ghazi, I. A. (2013). Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of Abrus precatorius leaf extracts: an in vitro study. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 13(1), 53. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Lankatillake, C., Huynh, T., & Dias, D. A. (2024). Abrus precatorius leaf extract stimulates insulin-mediated muscle glucose uptake: in vitro studies and phytochemical analysis. Planta Medica, 90(05), 388-396. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Lankatillake, K. G. (2024). In vitro assessment of antidiabetic properties of traditional medicinal plants: Abrus precatorius L. and Melastoma malabathricum L . (Doctoral dissertation, RMIT University). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Lin, X., Li, H., Wang, T., Xiao, X., & Huang, B. (2025). The traditional uses, nutrition, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the medicinal Abrus species: a comprehensive review. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 22(11), e00182. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Nnaoma, I. E., & Okeke, C. O. (2024). Evaluation of Total Flavonoids, Total Phenolics Content and in Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Extract of Platycerium bifurcatum Leaf: A Potential Antihypertensive Medicinal Plant. Sch. Acad. J. Pharm., 8, 372-376. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Nnaoma, I. E., Okenwa, I. U., Otuekere, E. I., Ajah, O., & Osiagor, H. C. (2026). In silico and in-vitro studies of Picralima nitida leaf extract as potential α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors. Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria, 51(2), 323–344. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Noor, F., Rehman, A., Ashfaq, U. A., Saleem, M. H., Okla, M. K., Al-Hashimi, A., ... & Aslam, S. (2022). Integrating network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches to decipher the multi-target pharmacological mechanism of Abrus precatorius L. acting on diabetes. Pharmaceuticals, 15(4), 414. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Ojimelukwe, C., Ajah, O., Unegbu, C. C., & Nnaoma, I. E. (2024). Evaluation of in-vitro antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential of flavonoid fraction of Pteridium aquilinum leaf. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 13, 1068–1078. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Ou, S., Kwok, K. C., Li, Y., & Fu, L. (2001). In vitro study of possible role of dietary fibre in lowering postprandial serum glucose. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 49(2), 1026-1029. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Qian, H., Wang, L., Li, Y., Wang, B., Li, C., Fang, L., & Tang, L. (2022). The traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Abrus precatorius L.: A comprehensive review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 296, 115463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115463. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Taofeek, O. O., Oyewole, O. M., Sulaimon, L. A., Sanusi, S. O., Akinnuoye, P. O., Dogara, D. V., ... & Olorundare, F. T. (2024). Abrus precatorius leaf bioactives: in vivo anti-diabetes mellitus type-1 activity, PPARA and SCD as novel targets. Journal of Umm Al-Qura University for Applied Sciences, 10(3), 421-437. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Yuan, X., Xue, X., Liang, Z., & He, C. (2025). Study on the potential hypoglycemic flavonoids in Abrus precatorius leaves: purification process, quality profile and activity mechanisms by transcriptomics and network pharmacology. Natural Product Research, 39(12), 3504-3511. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacology, Drug Safety and Toxicity
• Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Treponema Pallidum Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Lokoja, Kogi State
• In Silico Evaluation of Hyptis Verticillata-Derived Phytochemicals Targeting Estrogen Receptor Alpha (Erα) and Progesterone Receptor in Hormone-Dependent Breast Cancer
• A Review Article on AI in Personalized Medicine & Novel Pharamacology
• Leech Therapy (Hirudotherapy): A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Pharmacological Constituents, Mechanisms of Action, Therapeutic Applications, and Safety