In Vitro Assays of Anti-diabetic and Anti-hypertensive Potential of Some Traditional Edible Plants of Qatar

Abstract

Aizoon canariense, Cynomorium coccineum, Glossonema edule, and Malva parviflora, edible desert plants from Qatar, were selected to determine levels of phenolic bioactives and potential health benefits for managing early stages of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Aqueous extracts of C. cocineum, contained soluble phenolics and had relatively high levels of antioxidant activity associated with α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). G. edule and M. parviflora had moderate levels of anti-oxidant potential, soluble phenolics, and ACE inhibitory activity. The medicinal properties associated with C. coccineum suggest the plant may have potential as a diet-based solution for combating, preventing, and managing the early stage of type 2 diabetes when coupled with an overall healthy life style and pharmacological management strategies. INTRODUCTION Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a systemic, multilayered chronic disease with worldwide impact, reaching epidemic proportions and projected to be the 7 leading cause of death by 2030 (WHO, 2013). Qatar is predicted to have the highest number of diabetic patients in the near future, with a reported increase of 130% by the year 2030 (Mushlin et al., 2012). Due to genetic susceptibility, children that have one or two diabetic parents are two to four times higher risk for being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (Harrison et al., 2003). Consanguinity, the incidence of which is the highest in the State of Qatar (51%), is frequently the cause of the prevalence of many genetic disorders and other inherited adult diseases, such as diabetes (Bener et al., 2013). In recent years, many edible food, medicinal, and spice plants have been investigated for potential benefits in managing type 2 diabetes (Kaur et al., 2015; Mirmiran et al., 2014). Among the most important plant-based antioxidants are the dietary phenolics that are thought to be more effective as an antioxidants than vitamin E or C in vitro and in vivo (Rice-Evans et al., 1997) because they potentially have direct enzyme inhibitory benefits as targets for hyperglycemia and managing carbohydrate metabolism. Specifically, apart from the antioxidant properties, phenolic compounds are natural inhibitors of α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes applicable for the management of early stages of hyperglycaemia associated with type 2 diabetes. A method available for the management of type 2 diabetes is to impede the breakdown and intestinal absorption of glucose through the inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase enzymes (Pinto et al., 2009). The presence of the phenolics that act as α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors in fruits, vegetables and spices could be a good approach to control post-prandial hyperPhoboo et al.: In Vitro Assays of Anti-diabetic and Anti-hypertensive Potential