Abstract
Backgroundα-Amylase catalyses the hydrolysis of starch and ultimately producing glucose. Controlling the catalytic activity of this enzyme reduces glucose production in the postprandial stage, which could be a therapeutic benefit for people with diabetes. This study was conducted to evaluate α-amylase inhibition for utilizing the crude extracts of some medicinal plants traditionally used in Nepal for the treatment of diabetes and its related complications.MethodsMicrotiter plate approach has been used to assess inhibitory activities of in vitro α-amylase of methanolic extracts of thirty-two medicinal plants. A starch tolerance test was used in rats to investigate the in vivo study of the methanolic extract concerning glibenclamide as the positive control.ResultsAcacia catechu, Dioscorea bulbifera, and Swertia chirata exhibited inhibitory activity against α-amylase and with IC50 values; 49.9, 296.1, and 413.5 μg/mL, respectively. Kinetics study revealed that all the extracts displayed a mixed type of inhibition pattern, with Ki values ranging from 26.6–204.2 μg/mL. Free radical scavenging activity was again re-examined and found prominent in extracts of A. catechu. Likewise, A. catechu and S. chirata showed significant reduction of blood glucose concentration up to 30 min after oral dose of 250 mg/kg (F (4, 20) = 4.1, p = .048), and (F (4, 20) = 4.1, p = .036), respectively.ConclusionsEnzymatic assay for α-amylase inhibition using extracts was successfully evaluated. Also, the in-vitro and in-vivo study model revealed that medicinal plants could be a potent source of α-amylase inhibition. So, they could serve as potential candidates for future drug development strategies for curing diabetes with minimal or no adverse side effects.
Highlights
In Diabetes, the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin and is diagnosed by observing raised levels of glucose in the blood
Enzymatic assay for α-amylase inhibition using extracts was successfully evaluated
The in-vitro and in-vivo study model revealed that medicinal plants could be a potent source of α-amylase inhibition
Summary
In Diabetes, the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin and is diagnosed by observing raised levels of glucose in the blood. Among the different classes of the enzyme, α-amylase (α-1, 4 glucan-4-glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.1) belongs to hydrolases class and can be found in microbes, plants, and animals [6]. The αamylase is found in saliva and pancreatic juice [9], that hydrolyzes alpha-linked polysaccharide’s alpha bonds like in starch and glycogen, resulting in glucose and maltose that could quickly enter the bloodstream [10]. It is the primary amylase type present in humans and other mammals. Inhibition of α-amylase delays the digestion process by hampering the breakdown of starch in the intestine and can be utilized as an effective strategy for regulating hyperglycemic conditions [11]
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