Chemical Composition Analysis Using HPLC-UV/GC-MS and Inhibitory Activity of Different Nigella sativa Fractions on Pancreatic α-Amylase and Intestinal Glucose Absorption

Nigella sativa (NS) is a well-known plant for its various benefits and multiuse in traditional medicine. This study is aimed at investigating the chemical composition of the different NS fractions by using GC-MS for the esterified fatty acids or HPLC-UV for organic fraction and at evaluating the inhibitory effect on pancreatic α-amylase (in vitro, in vivo) and intestinal glucose absorption. Among all the investigated fractions, it was shown that they are rich with different molecules of great interest. The n-hexane fraction was characterized by the presence of linoleic acid (44.65%), palmitic acid (16.32%), stearic acid (14.60%), and thymoquinone (8.7%), while among the identified peaks in EtOH fraction we found catechin (89.03 mg/100 g DW), rutin (6.46 mg/100 g DW), and kaempferol (0.032 mg/100 g DW). The MeOH fraction was distinguished with the presence of gallic acid (19.91 mg/100 g DW), catechin (13.79 mg/100 g DW), and rutin (21.07 mg/100 g DW). Finally, the aqueous fraction was marked by the existence of different molecules; among them, we mention salicylic acid (32.26 mg/100 g DW), rutin (21.46 mg/100 g DW), and vanillic acid (3.81 mg/100 g DW). Concerning the inhibitory effect on pancreatic α-amylase, it was found that in the in vitro study, the best IC(50) registered were those of EtOH (0.25 mg/ml), MeOH (0.10 mg/ml), aqueous (0.031 mg/ml), and n-hexane fraction (0.76 mg/ml), while in the in vivo study an important inhibition of α-amylase in normal and diabetic rats was observed. Finally, the percentage of intestinal glucose absorption was evaluated for all tested extracts and it was ranging from 24.82 to 60.12%. The results of the present study showed that the NS seed fractions exert an interesting inhibitory effect of α-amylase and intestinal glucose absorption activity which could be associated with the existent bioactive compounds. Indeed, these compounds can be used as antidiabetic agents because of their nontoxic effect and high efficacy.