South African traditional herbal formulation inhibits α-glucosidase, DPP-IV and glycation activities, and modulates glucose utilisation in Chang liver cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes

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In South Africa, herbal mixture preparations are often used as alternative treatments for various diseases including diabetes. Most of the herbal mixture preparations have not been well investigated and regulated. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-diabetic potentials and possible mode of actions of a South African herbal formulation locally called “Mabaso”. It is prepared from three plants, namely Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. and Solanum pimpinellifolium L. The phenolic and flavonoid contents, α-glucosidase, DPP-IV and glycation inhibitory activities as well as glucose utilisation and adipocyte differentiation modulatory activities of herbal mixture was evaluated for the first time. The HPLC fingerprints of potent extracts were also determined. The DCM:MeOH extract showed the highest phenolic content. Same extract exhibited the most potent α-glucosidase, DPP-IV (73.51% at 50 μg/ml) and glycation (62.5% at 5 μg/ml) inhibitory activities. DCM:MeOH and MeOH extracts appreciably enhanced glucose utilisation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Chang liver cells respectively. Herbal mixture extracts enhanced (p < .05) adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Data suggest that the studied herbal formulation may potentiate anti-hyperglycemic effects via inhibiting α-glucosidase, DPP-IV and glycation activities as well as enhancing glucose utilisation and/or adipocyte differentiation. Thus, this herbal preparation may be an interesting candidate for further investigation on their ameliorative potentials against diabetes and its complications using appropriate animal models.