Abstract:
In recent times type 2 diabetes has become one of the major public health concern in both
developing and developed countries. It is defined as an endocrine and metabolic disease
defined by elevated blood glucose level (hyperglycemia). Current studies based on medicinal
plants have revealed that phenolic and flavonoids compounds present in plants can inhibit
key enzymes such as alpha glucosidase and alpha amylase and offer an effective strategy to
control post prandial hyperglycaemia. Therefore the purpose of this study was to determine
the inhibitory potential of alpha glucosidase and alpha amylase byTricosanthesdioica
(Padwal), Moringaoleifera (Murunga)and Averrhoacarambola (Kamaranga).
Leaves of Padwal, Murunga and fruits of Kamaranga were sliced, dried, powdered
and refluxed with 75% ethanol and fractionated with ethyl acetate. 75% ethanol extract, ethyl
acetate extract and aqueous layers were obtained. Each layer was tested for the total phenolic
content and percentage reducing activity. IC50 values of alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase
inhibitions by the extractswere determined using several biochemical assays.
Among the three plantsT. dioica 75% ethanol extract had the highest amount of
phenolic content (50.88±4.90 mg/g) and the highest reducing power was in A. carambola
75% ethanol extract (710.91±15.62). The most plant extracts showed higher reducing power
compared with standard BHT (317.27±19.10). In the determination of IC50 values for alpha
amylase, ethyl acetate layer of A. carambola (57.36 ± 16.51 μg/g) showed the lowest value
and the highest IC50value was inT. dioica aqueous layer (1225.84±59.57 μg/g). The lowest
IC50 value for alpha glucosidasewas observed in M. oleifera (279.84±35.51 ng/g) aqueous
layer and the highest value was in the ethyl acetate extract of T.
dioica(9.08×105±1.11×104ng/g).
In the present study the selected plant materials had high phenolic contents and
percentage reducing power. A. carambola ethyl acetate extract is most effective inhibitor for
amylase and M. oleifera aqueous layer is effectual inhibitor for glucosidase in vitro among
the three plants.
