Characterization of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Commiphora myrrha and evaluating in vitro anti-diabetic and anti-obesity activities

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a clinical syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia. Reduction of gastrointestinal glucose absorption through the inhibition of carbohydrate digesting enzymes is one of in-vitro anti-diabetic therapeutic approach. This study aimed to evaluate the in-vitro anti-diabetic and anti-obesity activities of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Commiphora myrrha oleo-gum as well as identification of the bioactive compounds. Commiphora myrrha was extracted with methanol and ethyl acetate. The two extracts were used to evaluate their α-amylase, α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Identification of the bioactive compounds in ethyl acetate was analysed by GC-MS gas chromatograph. The results showed that the ethyl acetate extract had a stronger inhibitory activity on α-amylase (IC50=54.60µg/ml) and α-glucosidase (IC50=58.7µg/ml) than methanol extract on α-amylase (IC50=124.01µg/ml) and α-glucosidase (IC50= 191.2µg/ml). Also, ethyl acetate extract had a promising inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase (IC50= 107.8µg/ml) than methanol extract (IC50= 498.1µg/ml). Gas chromatography - mass spectrometry analysis of the ethyl acetate extract identified 31 compounds. Among them nobiletin (50.26%), metaproterenol (orciprenaline) (14.99%), morantel (8.86%) and tricetin (3.38%) were the main compounds. These findings proved that Commiphora myrrha has anti-diabetic and anti-obesity inhibition activity may be due to the bioactive compounds with interesting medicinal properties.