Investigation of effects of extracts from some honey on alpha-glucosidase enzyme activity

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the effects of honey extracts on alpha-glucosidase enzyme activity. Fourteen honey samples from Kurşunlu, Çankırı, were collected and studied for their impact on the enzyme in vitro. The materials and methods involved the use buffer, D.W., sample, alpha-glucosidase enzyme, and p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside as a substrate. Enzyme assays were conducted in microtiter plates, and the activity was measured using an absorbance spectrophotometer at 405 nm. The enzyme inhibition test provided insights into the potential therapeutic benefits of specific honey extracts for conditions related to carbohydrate metabolism, such as diabetes. Results and discussions revealed that several honey extracts, including K4, K8, K18, K11, K2, K14, K1, K16, K17, K10, K6, K9, K5, and K6, demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on alpha-glucosidase enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular docking studies using Molegro Virtual Docker (MVD) provided insights into the binding affinity and interactions of the selected compounds with the alpha-glucosidase enzyme. Notably, compounds Naringenin, Apigenin, Diosmetin, Ferulic acid, 3-(Benzyloxy)-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and Caffeic acid, exhibited strong binding affinity with key amino acids, inhibiting the enzyme's activity.This thesis contributes to the understanding of the potential benefits of specific honey extracts in modulating alpha-glucosidase enzyme activity. The inhibitory effects of the selected compounds suggest their potential as valuable therapeutic agents for conditions associated with alpha-glucosidase deficiency. Further experimental validation is necessary to establish their efficacy as potential treatments for diabetes and related conditions. These findings highlight the importance of exploring natural compounds,