Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant Capacity, and the Antidiabetic Potential of <scp> <i>Atriplex halimus</i> </scp> Extracts: <scp>UHPLC</scp> <scp>–</scp> <scp>MS</scp> <scp>/</scp> <scp>MS</scp> Analysis, In Vitro Enzyme Inhibition Assays, and Molecular Docking Studies

Abstract

ABSTRACT Atriplex halimus (L.) is known to be characterized by numerous pharmacological prospects comprising antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties. The core objective of the present study is to harness the chemical composition of aqueous extract (EA), hydroethanolic extract (EHA), and ethanolic extract (EE), followed by the investigation of the antidiabetic potential of A. halimus extracts on two important targets, porcine proteins (α‐amylase and hemoglobin). A molecular docking study was adopted to computationally identify the bioactive compounds responsible for the observed antidiabetic effect. Phytochemical profiling using UHPLC–MS/MS identified 21 compounds across the three extracts, with trans‐cinnamic acid being the most abundant in all. The extracts exhibited significant inhibitory effects on both α‐amylase and hemoglobin glycation, with IC 50 values of 1.89, 3.33, and 2.07 mg/mL (for EA, EHA, and EE, respectively) against α‐amylase and 0.29, 0.31, and 0.41 mg/mL against glycation, demonstrating a significant inhibitory impact of A. halimus on both target proteins. With regard to the in silico computational study, it has been demonstrated that both catechin and epigallocatechin emerge as the most active compounds, displaying high binding activity compared to acarbose, a standard antidiabetic drug. These findings highlight the rich phytochemical profile and strong antidiabetic potential of A. halimus extracts, supporting their development as natural therapeutic agents for diabetes management.