Metabolomic Profiling and Hypoglycemic Potential of Justicia secunda Leaf Infusion

Nigéria Pereira Goncalves Hessler¹, Isabelle Maria Santos Peixe², Nádia Elígia Nunes Pinto Paracampo³, Lorena Mara Alexandre e Silva¹, Paulo Riceli Vasconcelos Ribeiro¹, Raimundo Rigoberto Barbosa Xavier Filho⁴, Caio Bruno Rodrigues Martins⁴, Marisa Jádna Silva Frederico⁴, Kirley MArques Canuto¹

^1. Embrapa, Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical; Rua Dra. Sara Mesquita, no 2.270, Bairro Planalto do Pici, CEP 60511-110, Fortaleza, CE
^2. UFC, Universidade Federal do Ceará; Av. Mister Hull, s/n - Pici - CEP 60455-760 - Fortaleza - CE
^3. Embrapa , Embrapa Amazônia Oriental; Travessa Dr. Enéas Pinheiro, s/n - Marco, Belém - PA, 66095-903.
^4. NPDM, Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos ; Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo, 1000 – Rodolfo Teófilo – Fortaleza – CE

Introduction: Justicia secunda Vahl (Acanthaceae), commonly known as “for blood,” is a medicinal plant native to South America, predominantly found in northern Brazil. Its leaf infusion has been traditionally used in folk medicine to treat anemia and diabetes, although scientific evidence supporting these uses remains limited. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the hypoglycemic activity of J. secunda through metabolomic profiling and in vitro α-glucosidase inhibition assays. Methodology: The aqueous extract (EAJS) was obtained by infusing dried leaves collected in Belém-PA, followed by simple filtration and lyophilization. The chemical profile of EAJS was characterized using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The hypoglycemic potential was assessed by evaluating α-glucosidase inhibition, with acarbose serving as the positive control. Results: Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses revealed that the infusion primarily contained flavonoid glycosides, along with alkaloids and phenylpropanoids. Structural confirmation was supported by one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments. The EAJS extract exhibited a strong inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 34.2 mg·mL⁻¹), comparable to that of acarbose. Conclusion: These findings support the traditional use of J. secunda infusion for diabetes management, likely due to the presence of anthocyanins and/or glycosylated flavonoids. Furthermore, the extract shows promise as a natural source of hypoglycemic bioactive compounds.

Agradecimentos: Universidade Estadual do Ceará - UECE, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Capes, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Embrapa e Fundação Amazônia de Amparo a Estudos e Pesquisas – Fapespa.