α-Glucosidase Inhibition-Guided Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Reveal the Antidiabetic Potential of Cichorium intybus as a Functional Food
Shah A.B. Baiseitova A. Amzeyeva U. Shang X. Jenis J.
October 2025Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
2025#26Issue 19
Cichorium intybus, commonly known as chicory, is acknowledged as a substitute for coffee and is widely utilized in medicinal applications to treat various ailments. Chicory extract is commonly used in the management of diabetes; however, the specific bioactive components remain unidentified. The present study displayed the antidiabetic potential of chicory using a comprehensive approach integrating in vitro, network pharmacology, and in silico techniques. The methanolic extract demonstrated significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in the initial experiment, indicating potential for the management of postprandial hyperglycemia. Based on this, chicory’s major metabolites were identified and examined for their interactions with (type 2 diabetes) T2D targets using network pharmacology. The core genes and pathways involved in the disease were mapped to understand the multitarget mechanisms of the extract. A molecular docking study validated the binding affinity and interactions of leading bioactive compounds with T2D protein targets. The findings indicate that chicory metabolites may serve as promising candidates for the development of natural antidiabetic agents.
Cichorium intybus , molecular docking , network pharmacology , type 2 diabetes mellitus , α-glucosidase
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College of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong, 30019, South Korea
Interdisciplinary Major Program in Innovative Pharmaceutical Sciences, Korea University, Sejong, 30019, South Korea
Research Institute for Natural Products & Technology, Almaty, 050046, Kazakhstan
The Research Center for Medicinal Plants, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Ave. 71, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus), IALS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea
Kazakh-China Joint Research Center for Natural Veterinary Drug, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAAS, Lanzhou, 730050, China
College of Pharmacy
Interdisciplinary Major Program in Innovative Pharmaceutical Sciences
Research Institute for Natural Products & Technology
The Research Center for Medicinal Plants
Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus)
Kazakh-China Joint Research Center for Natural Veterinary Drug
Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences
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Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026