Preprint / Version 1

Assessment of the Chemical Profile and Potential Medical Effects of a Flavonoid-Rich Extract of Eclipta prostrata L. Collected in the Central Highlands of Vietnam

Authors

Keywords:

Eclipta prostrata L., UHPLC, flavonoids, anti-oxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase

Abstract

Eclipta prostrata L. (EPL), a medicinal plant, is widely utilized in the central highlands of Vietnam. This study aims to assess the chemical profile and potential medical effects of an EPL extract rich in flavonoids. A total of 36 secondary metabolites were identified from the EPL extract through GC-MS and UHPLC-UV analysis. Among them, 15 volatile compounds and several phenolic and flavonoid chemicals, including salicylic acid, epicatechin gallate, isovitexin, and apigetrin, were reported in EPL extract for the first time. This herbal extract demonstrated moderate inhibition against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and high anti-oxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities (IC50 = 76.8 ± 0.8 μg/mL). These promising attributes can be likely attributed to the high levels of major compounds, including wedelolactone (1), chlorogenic acid (3), epicatechin gallate (6), salicylic acid (8), isovitexin (9), apigetrin (11), and myricetin (12). These findings align with the traditional use of EPL for enhancing memory and cognitive function, as well as its potential benefits in diabetes management. The results of the molecular docking study reveal that the major identified compounds (1, 6, 9, and 11) showed a more effective acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect than berberine chloride, with good binding energy (DS values, −12.3 to −14.3 kcal/mol) and acceptable values of RMSD (1.02–1.67 Å). Additionally, almost all the identified major compounds exhibited good ADMET properties within the required limits. Keywords: Eclipta prostrata L., UHPLC, flavonoids, anti-oxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase

Author Biographies

Thi Phan, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tay Nguyen University, Buon Ma Thuot 630000, Vietnam; [email protected]

Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing – original draft, Visualization

San-Lang Wang, Department of Chemistry, Tamkang University, New Taipei City 25137, Taiwan

Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing, Funding acquisition

Quang Nguyen, Institute of Biotechnology and Environment, Tay Nguyen University, Buon Ma Thuot 630000, Vietnam; [email protected] (Q.V.N.); [email protected] (A.D.N.); [email protected] (V.B.N.)

Writing – review & editing, Supervision

Tu Phan, Department of Science and Technology, Tay Nguyen University, Buon Ma Thuot 630000, Vietnam; [email protected]

Software

Tan Nguyen, School of Chemistry Biology and Environment, Vinh University, Vinh City 43100, Vietnam; [email protected]

Software, Data curation, Writing – original draft

Anh Nguyen, Institute of Biotechnology and Environment, Tay Nguyen University, Buon Ma Thuot 630000, Vietnam; [email protected] (Q.V.N.); [email protected] (A.D.N.); [email protected] (V.B.N.)

Software

Van Nguyen, Institute of Biotechnology and Environment, Tay Nguyen University, Buon Ma Thuot 630000, Vietnam; [email protected] (Q.V.N.); [email protected] (A.D.N.); [email protected] (V.B.N.)

Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing, Visualization, Project administration

Manh Doan, Institute of Biotechnology and Environment, Tay Nguyen University, Buon Ma Thuot 630000, Vietnam; [email protected] (Q.V.N.); [email protected] (A.D.N.); [email protected] (V.B.N.)

Conceptualization, Software, Validation, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Project administration

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