Phytochemical Constituents’ Analysis of Rhanterium adpressum Coss & Durieu Flowers Extracts and their α-amylase and α-glucosidase Inhibition Properties

Background: Rhanterium adpressum is an endemic and desert plant found in Algerian Sahara, it is used by the local population in cheese production and folk medicine as an antidiuretic and antimicrobial. Objective: This study aimed to analyse the phytochemical composition of Rhanterium adpressum extracts by GC-MS and assess their inhibitory potential on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes linked to diabetes. Methods: Two solvents were used for extraction: petroleum ether and dichloromethane. The obtained extracts were then analysed by GC-MS and in vitro tested for their antidiabetic activity. Results: GC-MS analysis of extracts from R. adpressum flowers revealed various phytocompounds, such as (-)-Spathulenol, alpha.-Amyrin, Lupeol and Cedran-diol in petroleum ether extract; 1HCycloprop[ e]azulen-7-ol, 5(1H)-Azulenone and alpha-cardinol in dichloromethane extract. Petroleum ether extract exhibited a good in vitro antidiabetic activity in comparison to dichloromethane extract. Conclusion: This research confirms the antidiabetic activity of petroleum ether extract when compared with dichloromethane extract; other studies are needed for purification and in vivo study of biocompounds from Rhanterium adpressum. This investigation offers scientific data that flowers of Rhanterium adpressum exhibit in vitro anti-diabetic effect.