Methanol extract from Lippia graveolens (Mexican oregano) was studied in order to identify inhibitory bioactives for protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). Known flavone as lutein (1), and another flavone glycoside such as lutein-7-o-glucoside (2), 6-hydroxy-lutein-7-ohexoside (3) and lutein-7-o-ramnoide (4) were isolated from methanol extract of aerial parts of the Lippia graveolens. All isolates were identified based on extensive spectroscopic data analysis, including UV, IR, NMR, MS and compared with spectroscopic data previously reported. These flavones were evaluated for PTP1B inhibitory activity. Among them, compounds 1 and 3 displayed potential inhibitory activity against PTP1B with IC50 values of 7.01 ± 1.25 μg/ml and 18.4 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, compound 2 and 4 showed moderate inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 23.8 ± 6.21 and 67.8 ± 5.80 μg/ml respectively. Among the four compounds, luteolin was found to be the most potent PTP1B inhibitor compared to the positive control ursolic acid, with an IC50 value of 8.12 ± 1.06 μg/ml. These results indicate that flavonoids constituents contained in Lippia graveolens can be considered as a natural source for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
