Abstract
Obesity and diabetes are major metabolic disorders which are prevalent worldwide. Algae has played an important role in managing these disorders. In this study, Gracilaria edulis, a marine red algae, was investigated for antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential using in vitro models. De-polysaccharide methanol extract of G. edulis was sequentially partitioned with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and antioxidants, and hypoglycemic potentials were evaluated using multiple methods. High antioxidant potential was observed in the ethyl acetate fraction in terms of ferric reducing antioxidant power, iron chelating, and DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, while the crude methanol extract exhibited potent oxygen radical-absorbance capacity. Potent α-amylase inhibitory activity was observed in the ethyl acetate fraction, while the ethyl acetate fraction was effective against α-glucosidase inhibition. Glucose diffusion was inhibited by the ethyl acetate fraction at 180 min, and the highest antiglycation activity was observed in both chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions. Additionally, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction revealed the presence of several potent anti-diabetic compounds. In conclusion, G. edulis exhibited promising antidiabetic potential via multiple mechanisms. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the strongest hypoglycemic and antiglycation potential among the four fractions, and hence the isolation of active compounds is required to develop leads for new drugs to treat diabetes.
Highlights
The incidences of type 2 diabetes and obesity have increased globally due to rapid urbanization and unhealthy diets
To discover the therapeutic potential of tropical marine algae against diabetes and obesity, we studied G. edulis, a red algae from the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka to investigate its mechanisms of action
The present study found that G. edulis exhibited promising hypoglycemic activity by inhibiting key carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, glucose absorption, and the formation of antiglycation end products
Summary
The incidences of type 2 diabetes and obesity have increased globally due to rapid urbanization and unhealthy diets. More than 90% of patients with diabetes mellitus are either overweight or obese [1]. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder that is linked with persistent hyperglycemia due to the deficiency of insulin secretion. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that by 2035, the incidence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance will increase by up to 592 million and 471 million people, respectively [2]. Type 1 diabetes is widespread among Northern European countries, while type 2 diabetes is most common in African and South Asian countries. Type 2 diabetes is prevalent among the Sri Lankan population [3]. One Molecules 2019, 24, 3708; doi:10.3390/molecules24203708 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
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