Profiling of Potential Anti-Diabetic Active Compounds in White Tea: An Integrated Study of Polyphenol-Targeted Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Computer Simulation

Diabetes remains a critical global public health challenge, posing a growing threat to human health and well-being. White tea is a lightly fermented tea and one of the six traditional tea categories in China. Owing to its rich content of bioactive compounds such as catechins and alkaloids, it has de...

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Main Authors: Weiwei Wu, Zhiqiang Zheng, Zhihui Wang, Chenxi Gao, Yilin Liang, Wen Zeng, Weijiang Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3354
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author Weiwei Wu
Zhiqiang Zheng
Zhihui Wang
Chenxi Gao
Yilin Liang
Wen Zeng
Weijiang Sun
author_facet Weiwei Wu
Zhiqiang Zheng
Zhihui Wang
Chenxi Gao
Yilin Liang
Wen Zeng
Weijiang Sun
author_sort Weiwei Wu
collection DOAJ
description Diabetes remains a critical global public health challenge, posing a growing threat to human health and well-being. White tea is a lightly fermented tea and one of the six traditional tea categories in China. Owing to its rich content of bioactive compounds such as catechins and alkaloids, it has demonstrated potential anti-diabetic properties. However, its precise bioactive components, mechanisms of action, and relevant molecular targets require further investigation. In this study, an integrated approach combining polyphenol-targeted metabolomics, in vitro antioxidant assays, <i>α</i>-glucosidase inhibition tests, network pharmacology analysis, GEO database exploration, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations was employed to identify the potential anti-diabetic compounds, targets, and mechanisms of white tea. The findings revealed that white tea is particularly abundant in 10 bioactive compounds, including epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, and catechin, all of which exhibit significant anti-diabetic potential. These compounds were found to exert their effects by interacting with core molecular targets, namely cathepsin V (CTSV) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1), and engaging in pathways related to signal transduction, apoptosis, and immune responses. This study establishes a strong theoretical basis for advancing white tea research and underscores new opportunities for applying natural products in diabetes therapy.
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spelling doaj-art-2d9408da1c954b6bb2c71fda84e680792025-08-20T02:14:16ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582024-10-011321335410.3390/foods13213354Profiling of Potential Anti-Diabetic Active Compounds in White Tea: An Integrated Study of Polyphenol-Targeted Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Computer SimulationWeiwei Wu0Zhiqiang Zheng1Zhihui Wang2Chenxi Gao3Yilin Liang4Wen Zeng5Weijiang Sun6College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, ChinaDiabetes remains a critical global public health challenge, posing a growing threat to human health and well-being. White tea is a lightly fermented tea and one of the six traditional tea categories in China. Owing to its rich content of bioactive compounds such as catechins and alkaloids, it has demonstrated potential anti-diabetic properties. However, its precise bioactive components, mechanisms of action, and relevant molecular targets require further investigation. In this study, an integrated approach combining polyphenol-targeted metabolomics, in vitro antioxidant assays, <i>α</i>-glucosidase inhibition tests, network pharmacology analysis, GEO database exploration, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations was employed to identify the potential anti-diabetic compounds, targets, and mechanisms of white tea. The findings revealed that white tea is particularly abundant in 10 bioactive compounds, including epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, and catechin, all of which exhibit significant anti-diabetic potential. These compounds were found to exert their effects by interacting with core molecular targets, namely cathepsin V (CTSV) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1), and engaging in pathways related to signal transduction, apoptosis, and immune responses. This study establishes a strong theoretical basis for advancing white tea research and underscores new opportunities for applying natural products in diabetes therapy.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3354white teadiabetespolyphenol-targeted metabolomicsnetwork pharmacologymolecular dynamic simulation
spellingShingle Weiwei Wu
Zhiqiang Zheng
Zhihui Wang
Chenxi Gao
Yilin Liang
Wen Zeng
Weijiang Sun
Profiling of Potential Anti-Diabetic Active Compounds in White Tea: An Integrated Study of Polyphenol-Targeted Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Computer Simulation
Foods
white tea
diabetes
polyphenol-targeted metabolomics
network pharmacology
molecular dynamic simulation
title Profiling of Potential Anti-Diabetic Active Compounds in White Tea: An Integrated Study of Polyphenol-Targeted Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Computer Simulation
title_full Profiling of Potential Anti-Diabetic Active Compounds in White Tea: An Integrated Study of Polyphenol-Targeted Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Computer Simulation
title_fullStr Profiling of Potential Anti-Diabetic Active Compounds in White Tea: An Integrated Study of Polyphenol-Targeted Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Computer Simulation
title_full_unstemmed Profiling of Potential Anti-Diabetic Active Compounds in White Tea: An Integrated Study of Polyphenol-Targeted Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Computer Simulation
title_short Profiling of Potential Anti-Diabetic Active Compounds in White Tea: An Integrated Study of Polyphenol-Targeted Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Computer Simulation
title_sort profiling of potential anti diabetic active compounds in white tea an integrated study of polyphenol targeted metabolomics network pharmacology and computer simulation
topic white tea
diabetes
polyphenol-targeted metabolomics
network pharmacology
molecular dynamic simulation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/21/3354
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