Antidiabetic and prebiotic activities of flavonoids from Cyperus conglomeratus rottb

One new flavan (1), besides four known flavanones (2–5), was isolated from the aerial parts of Cyperus conglomeratus Rottb. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods including one and two-dimensional NMR and high-resolution MS. Their antidiabetic activity was evaluated by measuring the inhibitory effect on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and glycogen phosphorylase. The prebiotic activity was assessed utilizing two probiotic Lacticaseibacillus strains. The effect of the compounds on the enzyme profile of the tested probiotic strains was also evaluated. The promising activity against the tested enzymes was shown by compounds 2 and 4. All compounds exhibited an enhancement in alkaline phosphatase activity in the enzyme profile of Lb. rhamnosus and Lb. paracasei. This study demonstrated that the isolated flavonoids could be used as dietary supplements or in the development of functional foods for diabetes and prebiotics.