Ligand-targeted fishing of α-glucosidase inhibitors from Tribulus terrestris L. based on chitosan-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes with immobilized α-glucosidase.

α-Glucosidase inhibitors in natural products are one of the promising drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, due to the complexity of the matrix, it is challenging to comprehensibly clarify the specific pharmacodynamic substances. In this study, a novel high-throughput inhibitor screening strategy was established based on covalent binding of α-glucosidase on chitosan-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The synthesized MWCNTs@CS@GA@α-Glu was characterized by TEM, SEM, FTIR, Raman, and TG. Performance studies showed that the microreactor exhibited stronger thermostability and pH tolerance than that of the free one while maintaining its inherent catalytic activity. Feasibility study applying a model mixture of known α-glucosidase ligand and non-ligands indicated the selectivity and specificity of the system. By integrating ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) with ion mobility mass spectrometry (IMS), 15 ligands were obtained and tentatively identified from Tribulus terrestris L., including 8 steroidal saponins, 4 flavonoids, and 3 alkaloids. These inhibitors were further validated by in vivo experiments and molecular docking simulation.