Folliculi sennae Extract: A Multifunctional Approach to Alzheimer's and Diabetes

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit overlapping molecular pathways characterized by oxidative imbalance and enzyme dysfunction. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the multifunctional potential of Folliculi sennae (F. sennae) ethanol extract as a natural therapeutic agent targeting these disorders. Phenolic profiling using LC-MS/MS revealed abundant bioactive compounds, including quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and gallic acid, with high linearity and reproducibility. The extract exhibited moderate antioxidant activity across DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays, highlighting its redox-modulating capacity. Importantly, enzyme inhibition assays demonstrated notable inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE, IC₅₀ = 10.34 µg/mL), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, IC₅₀ = 7.72 µg/mL), and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 6.66 µg/mL), indicating potential neuroprotective and antidiabetic effects. These findings suggest that F. sennae orchestrates a synergistic interplay between antioxidant defense and targeted enzymatic inhibition, positioning it as a promising multitarget natural candidate for managing oxidative stress-linked neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders. The study lays the biochemical groundwork for future translational research exploring F. sennae as a safe, plant-based therapeutic intervention.