Making health out of recycling: The innovative role of hawthorn seed waste in diabetes management

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing due to global population growth and lifestyle changes. One of the key strategies in managing DM is the inhibition of enzymes such as α-glucosidase and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), as well as reducing protein glyca tion. In this study, the antidiabetic potential of Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn) seeds, which are generally considered agricultural waste, was investigated. Hawthorn seeds were extracted using water, ethanol, and methanol as solvents, and the obtained extracts were analyzed for their phytochemical composition, total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxi dant activity, enzyme inhibitory effects, and antiglycation potential. The methanol extract exhibited the highest phenolic content (53.21±4.69 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant activity, while the ethanol and methanol extracts showed strong anti glycation effects. The water extract demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity against DPP-IV (IC50: 0.21 mg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50: 85.23 µg/mL). In silico molecular docking and dynamics simulations revealed that procyanidin A2 and procyanidin B1 exhibited strong binding affinities for DPP-IV and α-glucosidase, respectively, and that these complexes were stable. These results suggest that hawthorn seeds, traditionally considered waste, possess significant pharmacological potential and could offer a new, natural, and sustainable therapeutic option for diabetes management. This study serves as an important example for the valorization of biomass and the repurposing of waste materials in the pharmaceutical field.