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    Exploring the Potential Antidiabetic Effects of Alkannin (A Naphthoquinone Compound): in vivo and in silico Studies

    Mohd Saeed1★, Ambreen Shoaib2, Lubna Azmi3, Asma Al-Shammary4, Md Jahoor Alam1, Yazeed Albulaihed1, Vishal M Balaramnavar5, Chandrakant Bonde6, Mohd Adnan Kausar8, Abdelmuhsin Abdelgadir1, Saad Saeed Alqathani9, Irfan Ahmad Ansari10★ Corresponding author

    1. 1Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il Province, SAUDI ARABIA.
    2. 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Jazan Province, SAUDI ARABIA.
    3. 3Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA.
    4. 4Department of Public Health, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha’il, Ha’il Province, SAUDI ARABIA.
    5. 5School of Pharmacy and Research Center, Chhata, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA.
    6. 6School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’s NMIMS, Shirpur, Maharashtra, INDIA.
    7. 7Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ha’il, Ha’il Province, SAUDI ARABIA.
    8. 8Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, ’Asir Province, SAUDI ARABIA.
    9. 9Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Corresponding author: Mohd Saeed, Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Ha’il, P.O. Box 2240, Ha’il, Ha’il Province 81451, Saudi Arabia. E-mail: mo.saeed@uoh.edu.sa.
    10. 10Current affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SSR College of Pharmacy, Silvassa, India Saeed et al. 45.

    CORRESPONDENCE

    Mohd Saeed

    Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il Province, SAUDI ARABIA.

    mo.saeed@uoh.edu.sa

    Received: 18-02-2024; Accepted: 07-06-2024.

    Volume 21, Issue 1 · pp. 44–54 · PUBLISHED 2025 · DOI: 10.1177/09731296241274877

    View on Pharmacogn. Mag. original site ↗

    ABSTRACT

    Background: It is estimated that the plant has been utilized in India’s traditional medical system for close to 2,500 years. Alkanin is a key active component in Boraginaceae medicinal plant roots. Many scientists are interested in this tiny molecule due to its biological potential. Objectives: To examine the hypoglycemic effects of alkannin (a naphthoquinone pigment). Materials and Methods: Initially, we determined the dosage of alkannin by conducting an acute oral toxicity study per Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines. Subsequently, streptozocin was used to induce diabetes in mice, and we chose several parameters such as body weight, food and water intake, blood glucose level, and biochemical estimation for the in vivo evaluation. The enhanced pharmacokinetic features of alkannin, such as its better cytochromes P450 metabolism profiles and higher intestinal absorption as compared to glimepiride, were validated by in silico investigations utilizing Swiss ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion) and AutoDock Vina. Results: In particular, blood glucose levels and body weight in the alkannin-treated group drastically decreased to 138 ± 1.45 mg/dL and 27.9±0.54 g, respectively, as compared with the diabetic-treated group. Moreover, alkaline phosphatase levels dropped to 57.26 ± 3.05 U/L in the alkannin group, suggesting enhanced liver and kidney functions. Creatinine levels also decreased from 1.44 ± 0.10 mg/dL to 0.92 ± 0.09 mg/dL, and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase/aspartate aminotransferase levels decreased from 64.16 ± 3.14 U/L to 47.85 ± 2.01 U/L. Additionally, diabetic controls maintained cholesterol levels between 102.1 ± 11.46 mg/dL and 93.53 ± 2.61 mg/dL. With a considerable binding score of –9.2 kcal/ mol for alkannin, molecular docking demonstrated a high degree of binding efficiency and robust interaction with biological targets. The docking results revealed that alkannin exhibits drug-like properties. In addition, it satisfies the lead likeness requirement and has a lower synthetic accessibility score compared to glimepiride. Conclusion: The results revealed the promising characteristics and positive outcomes of alkannin, underscoring its potential as a viable candidate for further investigation and prospective advancement as a treatment drug for diabetes.

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      Saeed, M., Shoaib, A., Azmi, L., Al-Shammary, A., Alam, M. J., Albulaihed, Y., Balaramnavar, V. M., Bonde, C., Kausar, M. A., Abdelgadir, A., Alqathani, S. S., & Ansari, I. A. (2025). Exploring the Potential Antidiabetic Effects of Alkannin (A Naphthoquinone Compound): in vivo and in silico Studies. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 21(1), 44–54. https://doi.org/10.1177/09731296241274877