Pharmaceutical Science: New Insights and Developments Vol. 10

Background: Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterised by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), leading to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. Naturally occurring inhibitors of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes may offer an effective way to limit the absorption of dietary carbohydrates while causing fewer adverse effects than synthetic drugs. α-amylase helps in the digestion and absorption of dietary starch and causes elevated blood glucose levels.

Aims: The present work aims to find natural α-amylase inhibitors derived from plants that have gained popularity as safe and cost-effective alternatives.

Study Design: This study investigates the α-amylase inhibitory potential of five medicinal plants (Aerva lanata, Emblica officinalis, Momordica charantia, Musa paradisiaca, and Psidium guajava) traditionally used in diabetes management.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Botany, Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.

Methodology: The α-amylase inhibitory activity of five plant extracts (Aerva lanata, Emblica officinalis, Momordica charantia, Musa paradisiaca, and Psidium guajava) was evaluated at concentrations ranging from 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μg/mL. Metformin was used as a standard antidiabetic drug for comparison. The extracts underwent additional phytochemical analysis to determine their total tannin and total phenolic contents.

Results: Our findings demonstrate that these plant extracts exhibit varying degrees of α-amylase inhibitory activity, with Momordica charantia showing the highest inhibition (95.00% ± 0.58% at 100 μg/mL). The inhibitory potential of these extracts correlates with their phenolic and tannin content, suggesting a role for these phytochemicals in α-amylase inhibition. Notably, Emblica officinalis and Psidium guajava also displayed significant inhibitory activity comparable to the standard drug metformin.

Conclusion: The study provides valuable insights into the development of novel antidiabetic therapies from natural sources. Further studies are warranted to isolate and characterise the bioactive compounds and elucidate their mechanisms of action. The findings of this study have significant implications for the management of diabetes and the development of natural antidiabetic agents.