Untargeted plant metabolomics reveals catechin derivatives as key contributors to the antidiabetic activity of Cecropia species

Guarumo leaves (Cecropia sp.) have been traditionally used in Latin America to manage diabetes mellitus. This work aimed to evaluate the potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of leaf extracts from six Cecropia species collected in Panama. Additionally, the chemical compounds associated with this activity were characterized. We identified the most likely bioactive candidates by using UPLC-MS untargeted metabolomics. Among the evaluated Cecropia species, C. obtusifolia, C. hispidissima, C. longipes, and C. peltata (CA) showed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 9.0 to 29.8 μg/mL, as compared to acarbose (5069.72 μg/mL), used as a positive control. In contrast, C. insignis, C. heterochroma, and C. peltata (SC) did not show a significant effect in this assay. The OPLS-DA model exhibited strong predictive performance, clearly distinguishing between active and inactive extracts. Through this analysis, we identified three putative bioactive compounds, namely Procyanidin B, ourateacatechin, and kaji-ichigoside F1, that were found in higher concentrations in the active extracts and demonstrated strong α-glucosidase inhibition. Additionally, the metabolites identified showed VIP scores > 1.5, indicating their significant contribution to the observed activity. This research identifies four Cecropia species as promising natural sources of α-glucosidase inhibitors, which could lead to new treatments for type 2 diabetes by helping to manage blood sugar levels.