Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
Identification of Homotrigona apicalis propolis compounds as α-glucosidase inhibitors with antidiabetic activity in a molecular docking approach
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
Kustiawan Paula Mariana, Suwarno Kafka Navisa, Pratiwi Vera Herliani, Siregar Khalish Arsy Al Khairy, Herlina Nunung, Ghozali Ghozali, Syaifie Putri Hawa, Mardliyanti Etik
Research Articles | Published: 10 November, 2025
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Keywords: Antidiabetic, Type 2 diabetes, α-glucosidase, Molecular docking, Propolis H. apicalisn
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes is a significant global health problem caused by impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance in body tissues. This study aimed to identify bioactive compounds in Homotrigona apicalis propolis that have α-glucosidase inhibitory potential, demonstrating anti-diabetic properties. Molecular docking was used to study the interaction mechanism between active compounds in H. apicalis propolis and α-glucosidase. Software such as AutoDock, and PyRx were used to predict pharmacokinetic parameters, evaluate toxicity and perform docking simulations. The findings suggest that bioactive compounds in H. apicalis propolis have strong potential as anti-diabetic agents. Compounds such as alpha-amyrin, DM ganodaric acid and rotlerin exhibited higher binding affinity to α-glucosidase than acarbose, with lower binding energy. Docking analysis was supported by an RMSD value of 1.904 Å and rottalerin showed a similar mechanism of action as acarbose. These results indicate that H. apicalis propolis compounds have significant potential as antidiabetic agents and provide important insights for the development of natural ingredient-based antidiabetic therapies.
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Author Information
Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda, Indonesia