Phenolic Compounds From Myrcia tijucensis: Insights Into Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities

The genus Myrcia from the Myrtaceae family contains species with therapeutic properties, such as reducing glycemia and oxidative stress. This study investigated the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Myrcia tijucensis in an animal model of Type 1 diabetes induced by alloxan. The objective was to evaluate its antidiabetic and antioxidant activities, as well as its effects on pancreatic islets. Chromatographic analysis by HPLC-MS/MS revealed, for the first time in the genus Myrcia, the presence of phenolic acids such as vanillic acid, syringic acid, vanillin, p-coumaric acid, and salicylic acid. The extract demonstrated potent inhibition of the α-glucosidase enzyme (IC₅₀ = 0.17 ± 0.01 mg/mL), suggesting a hypoglycemic mechanism. At the biological level, treatment with the extract significantly reduced oxidative stress, as evidenced by a decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA-RS) and normalization of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Additionally, an improvement in the architecture of pancreatic islets was observed, with an increase in islet diameter in treated groups, suggesting potential cellular regeneration. Altogether, the extract of M. tijucensis has proven promising for studies in adjunctive therapy for Type 1 diabetes, helping to control glycemia, reduce oxidative stress, and preserve pancreatic islets.