Abstract
Purpose: To assess the individual and synergistic inhibitory activities of five (5) tropical spices, viz, Zingiber officinale Rosc., Xylopia aethiopica (Dun.) A. Rich, Piper guineense Schum & Thonn, Myristica fragrans Houtt. and Allium sativum L. against glucose hydrolysing enzymes.Methods: In vitro assessment of the alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities of cold water, hot water, ethanol and aqueous-ethanol extracts of each of the five spices and their combination was investigated using enzymatic protocols. Acarbose was used as the standard.Results: Only four extracts showed strong inhibition against alpha-glucosidase and weak inhibition against alpha-amylase. Going by their half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50), the combined spices exhibited the best concurrent inhibitory activity against both hydrolysing enzymes (665.83 ± 27.50 μg/mL for alpha-glucosidase) and (1166.86 ± 14.70 μg/mL for alpha-amylase).Conclusion: The findings from this study demonstrate the enhanced antihyperglycemic potentials of the combined spices compared to the individual spices for the management of diabetes.
 Keywords: Hyperglycemia, Diabetes, Alpha-amylase, Alpha-glucosidase, Zingiber officinale, Xylopia aethiopica, Piper guineense, Myristica fragrans, Allium sativum, Spices
Highlights
Diabetes continues to mount danger globally as a result of an increase in the intake of refined food and an unhealthy dietary lifestyle
As stated by the International Diabetes Federation [2], over 1.8 million people are living with type-2 diabetes in South Africa and there are over 425 million cases worldwide
The Aq.ethanol extract of nutmeg (IC50: 270.75 ± 9.40 μg/mL) and the cold water extract of garlic (IC50: 351.88±11.10 μg/mL) depicted (p
Summary
Diabetes continues to mount danger globally as a result of an increase in the intake of refined food and an unhealthy dietary lifestyle. As stated by the International Diabetes Federation [2], over 1.8 million people are living with type-2 diabetes in South Africa and there are over 425 million cases worldwide These figures are expected to significantly increase by the year 2045 amongst the low and average income earners, while more than 50% cases of diabetes mellitus go undiagnosed globally [3]. Adverse effects from conventionally used antidiabetic drugs such as sulfonylurea, incretin, and thiazolidinedione inhibitors [4] continue to create pressure for the discovery of natural substances. These natural products have become popular remedial and health-enhancing agents because of their known possession of secondary metabolites [5]. Health benefits derived from spices are due to these secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds which have been reported to be potent antihyperglycemic and anti-diabetic agents [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
