Centaurea pungens Pomel as a potential nutraceutical source: Polyphenol-rich profile, antioxidant capacity, and inhibition of digestive α-amylase
Abstract
Introduction: Antioxidant-rich plant-derived compounds are increasingly investigated for their role in preventing oxidative stress and managing metabolic disorders. Centaurea pungens Pomel, an underexplored Saharan species, represents a potential source of dietary bioactive compounds with functional properties. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and nutraceutical potential of C. pungens through integrated chemical, biological, and in silico approaches. Results: The ethanolic extract was characterized using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS, revealing a diverse phytochemical profile comprising flavonoids and phenolic acids, with major constituents including curcumin, beta-carotene, and myricetin derivatives. The extract exhibited notable antioxidant activity, with 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging (IC50 = 0.0706 ± 0.006 mg/mL) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging (IC50 = 0.1789 ± 0.083 mg/mL), alongside moderate metal-chelating capacity. The extract exhibited significant in vitro alpha-amylase inhibitory activity. Molecular docking and 300 ns molecular dynamics simulations further suggested that myricetin 3arabinoside may contribute to the observed inhibitory effect through stable interactions with the catalytic pocket of human pancreatic alpha-amylase.
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BibTeX
@article{mlik2026centaurea,
title = {{Centaurea pungens Pomel as a potential nutraceutical source: Polyphenol-rich profile, antioxidant capacity, and inhibition of digestive α-amylase}},
author = {Randa Mlik and Mohamed Amine Fares and Nour Elhouda Mekhadmi and Asma Abid and Assia Bentahar and Walid Boussebaa and Slimane Ahmed Benmchih Ayada and Mohamed Kharsi and Makhlouf Sekour and Samia Hamouda and Wafa Ali Eltayb and Han Yu and Mohnad Abdalla and Ali Alsalme and Mikhael Bechelany and Ahmed Barhoum},
journal = {Frontiers in Nutrition},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.3389/fnut.2026.1866954},
url = {https://hal.umontpellier.fr/hal-05770489v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Centaurea pungens Pomel as a potential nutraceutical source: Polyphenol-rich profile, antioxidant capacity, and inhibition of digestive α-amylase
AU - Randa Mlik
AU - Mohamed Amine Fares
AU - Nour Elhouda Mekhadmi
AU - Asma Abid
AU - Assia Bentahar
AU - Walid Boussebaa
AU - Slimane Ahmed Benmchih Ayada
AU - Mohamed Kharsi
AU - Makhlouf Sekour
AU - Samia Hamouda
AU - Wafa Ali Eltayb
AU - Han Yu
AU - Mohnad Abdalla
AU - Ali Alsalme
AU - Mikhael Bechelany
AU - Ahmed Barhoum
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/28
JO - Frontiers in Nutrition
DO - 10.3389/fnut.2026.1866954
UR - https://hal.umontpellier.fr/hal-05770489v1
AB - Introduction: Antioxidant-rich plant-derived compounds are increasingly investigated for their role in preventing oxidative stress and managing metabolic disorders. Centaurea pungens Pomel, an underexplored Saharan species, represents a potential source of dietary bioactive compounds with functional properties. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and nutraceutical potential of C. pungens through integrated chemical, biological, and in silico approaches. Results: The ethanolic extract was characterized using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS, revealing a diverse phytochemical profile comprising flavonoids and phenolic acids, with major constituents including curcumin, beta-carotene, and myricetin derivatives. The extract exhibited notable antioxidant activity, with 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging (IC50 = 0.0706 ± 0.006 mg/mL) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging (IC50 = 0.1789 ± 0.083 mg/mL), alongside moderate metal-chelating capacity. The extract exhibited significant in vitro alpha-amylase inhibitory activity. Molecular docking and 300 ns molecular dynamics simulations further suggested that myricetin 3arabinoside may contribute to the observed inhibitory effect through stable interactions with the catalytic pocket of human pancreatic alpha-amylase.
SN - 2296-861X
ER -