Jintana Masoongnoen’s research while affiliated with Rajamangala University of Technology and other places

BACKGROUND Edible insects are used for consumption and traditional medicine due to their rich bioactive compounds. This study examined the bioactive compounds and inhibitory effects of crude extracts from Bombyx mori and Omphisa fuscidentalis on α‐glucosidase, α‐amylase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and tyrosinase. Fatty acids, including n‐hexadecanoic acid and oleic acid, were identified in the extracts and evaluated for their inhibitory potential against the enzymes in vitro and in silico. RESULTS The total phenolic content of the edible insect extracts correlated with enzyme inhibitory activity. The quercetin and kaempferol content of B. mori ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract was also closely related to α‐amylase inhibitory activity. The EtOAc and hexane extracts of B. mori showed similar inhibition potential to acarbose and tacrine against α‐amylase and AChE, respectively. The hexane extract of O. fuscidentalis exhibited comparable tyrosinase inhibitory activity to kojic acid. n‐Hexadecanoic acid and oleic acid were the predominant bioactive compounds in all of the extracts. A kinetic study revealed that n‐hexadecanoic acid acted as a mixed‐type inhibitor against α‐amylase, similar to acarbose, whereas oleic acid showed non‐competitive inhibition against AChE, unlike tacrine. Docking studies suggested that these fatty acids bind to the active sites of α‐amylase and AChE. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that n‐hexadecanoic acid and oleic acid from edible insects could be potential candidates for treating diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease. An animal model might be used for further examination to confirm these findings. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

The crude extracts from medicinal plants are increasingly important for bioactive activities. Several parts of Morinda citrifolia have been utilized in traditional medicine, such as diabetes, anticancer, and hypertension. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the biological activities, e.g., antioxidant, antidiabetic, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the crude extracts of Morinda citrifolia unripe fruits. The highest percent extraction was found in methanol. The purified methanoic fraction displayed the highest total phenolic content and was a potent tyrosinase inhibitor. The fraction of ethyl acetate exhibited the highest flavonoid content and DPPH free radical scavenging capacity. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate and methanol fractions were investigated as potent -glucosidase and -amylase inhibitors. Additionally, the cytotoxicity test of the bioactive fractions was explored in human keratinocyte cell lines.