Identifying phenolics by UPLC–MS/MS in some Prangos Lindl. species and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with biochemical, physiological, and pathological changes in the liver and characterized by some deficiencies in insulin secretion or insulin action. Prangos Lindl. species are important plants used as spice and medicine in Asian countries, including Türkiye. This study first aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of the aerial parts of the 5 different Prangos species (Apiaceae) collected from various locations to discover and identify bioactive phenolic components. The results revealed that the methanolic extract of P. heyniae exhibited the highest activity against α-glucosidase inhibition compared to the other Prangos species (IC₅₀ = 458.54 ± 5.62 μg/mL). For this reason, the active species P. heyniae (an endemic species) was subjected to UPLC–MS/MS to evaluate the possible active phenolic components. The results showed that 53 phenolic compounds were correctly screened, 21 were precisely determined by UPLC–MS/MS in P. heyniae. Therefore, it was concluded that the aerial parts of P. heyniae might have therapeutic potential for hyperglycemia due to its phenolic compounds. Moreover, quinic acid (3.66%), chlorogenic acid (2.35%), rutin (2.96%), and hesperidin (0.79%) might be potential markers of the methanolic extract of P. heyniae. In the end, this study provides comprehensive knowledge regarding the phenolic profile of P. heyniae related to antidiabetic activity for the first time in this study.