Antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects of phenolic-rich extracts from Eleutherococcus senticosus fruits using deep eutectic solvents.

Bioactive phenolic compounds from plants are valuable natural products with significant health benefits. Eleutherococcus senticosus (E. senticosus) fruit, a typically discarded resource, is a promising source of bioactive phenolics. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as a green solvent due to their low toxicity, biodegradability, and tunable properties. This study established an efficient ultrasound-microwave-assisted extraction using a tailored DES, followed by macroporous resin (HPD-600) purification. The purified extract (P-CF) achieved a 17-fold enrichment of polyphenols, reaching 537.9 mg/g, and was characterized to contain syringin, eleutheroside E, and isofraxidin. Molecular docking revealed that these compounds had strong affinities to α-amylase and α-glucosidase. In vitro assays demonstrated that P-CF possessed significant antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities, inhibiting α-amylase/α-glucosidase. In vivo validation using a hyperglycemic zebrafish model confirmed its efficacy in reducing blood glucose and reactive oxygen species (ROS). These findings provide a scientific basis for the valorization of E. senticosus fruit in functional food applications.