An Ayurvedic Anti‐Diabetic Formulation Made from Curcuma longa L. and Emblica officinalis L. Inhibits α‐Amylase, α‐Glucosidase, and Starch Digestion, In Vitro

Abstract

Targeting digestive enzymes and controlling postprandial glycemia is an important approach in diabetes management. Dietary supplements that inhibit digestive enzymes are a promising strategy for managing hyperglycemia in diabetic and borderline patients, particularly those who consume high carbohydrate diets. The Indian traditional Ayurvedic system of medicine has lot to offer in this direction. The emerging trend of opting for complementary and alternative medicines for the management of life style diseases, like diabetes, is encouraging but has limited global acceptance due to inadequate information on their therapeutic efficacy and mode of action. The present work demonstrates Nisha‐Amalaki (CE), an Ayurvedic anti‐diabetic formulation prepared from Curcuma longa and Emblica officinalis, as a potential of digestive enzyme inhibitor using in vitro models. The benefit of using honey as an adjuvant for CE is also studied. A simulated in vitro digestion model adopted in the work facilitates the study of the formulation in total than its individual components. While CE inhibits α‐amylase (65%), α‐glucosidase (93%) and reduces starch digestion (≈60%), addition of honey (CEH) is found to improve α‐amylase inhibition to 107% with a higher inhibition of starch digestion. Bioassay guided fractionation of CE and CEH shows multiple fractions, a curcuminoid rich chloroform fraction and an aqueous fraction, possibly contributing to the observed pharmacological effects. In conclusion, the study reports the herbal formulation, Nisha‐Amalaki, as an inhibitor of starch digestion as well as a potential nutraceutical dietary supplement in the management of hyperglycemia.