Inhibition of α-Glucosidase by Aqueous Extracts of Some Potent Antidiabetic Medicinal Herbs

• Published in: Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology 2005-01, Vol.35 (1), p.29-36
• Main Authors: Önal, Seçil, Timur, Suna, Okutucu, Burcu, Zihnioğlu, Figen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Enzyme Activation; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; Hypoglycemic Agents - chemistry; Myrtus communis; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plants, Medicinal - chemistry; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Solutions; Species Specificity; Taraxacum officinale; Type 2 diabetes mellitus (NIDDM); Urtica dioica; Viscum album; Water - chemistry; α-Glucosidase inhibition
• ISSN: 1082-6068; 1532-2297
• DOI: 10.1081/PB-200041438

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalant diseases of adults. Agents with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity have been useful as oral hypoglycemic drugs for the control of hyperglycemia in patients with type 2; noninsulin-dependent, diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Investigation of some medicinal herbs: Urtica dioica, Taraxacum officinale, Viscum album, and Myrtus communis with α-glucosidase inhibitor activity was conducted to identify a prophylactic effect for diabetes in vitro. All plants showed differing potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. However, Myrtus communis strongly inhibited the enzyme (IC 50  = 38 µg/mL). The inhibitory effect of these plants and some common antidiabetic drugs against the enzyme source (baker's yeast, rabbit liver, and small intestine) were also searched. Approximately all inhibitors used in this study showed quite different inhibitory activities, according to α-glucosidase origins. Furthermore, subsequent separation of the active material from Myrtus communis by HPLC showed that only one fraction acted as an α-glucosidase inhibitor.