IN VITRO STUDIES ON THE INHIBITION OF α-AMYLASE AND α-GLUCOSIDASE BY MARANTODES PUMILUM AND RHINACANTHUS NASUTUS EXTRACTS
Keywords:
α-amylase inhibition, α-glucosidase inhibition, Marantodes pumilum, Rhinacanthus nasutus, Postprandial hyperglycemiaAbstract
This study evaluated the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of Marantodes pumilum and Rhinacanthus nasutus leaf extracts as potential natural alternatives for managing postprandial hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Extracts were prepared using solvents of varying polarities (hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, and water) and compared with acarbose. The hexane extract of M. pumilum demonstrated the most potent α-amylase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 5.88 μg/mL), exceeding acarbose (IC₅₀ = 11.10 μg/mL), while ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts showed moderate inhibition (IC₅₀ = 15.74 and 16.31 μg/mL, respectively). For R. nasutus, ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts exhibited significant α-amylase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 15.64 and 15.75 μg/mL). Notably, only ethyl acetate extracts from both plants displayed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, albeit milder than acarbose. The differential inhibitory profiles across extracts suggest that medium-polarity compounds, particularly flavonoids and terpenoids, are responsible for these effects. This study provides evidence for the potential of M. pumilum and R. nasutus extracts, especially ethyl acetate fractions, as natural enzyme inhibitors with therapeutic potential for managing postprandial hyperglycemia, potentially offering reduced gastrointestinal side effects while maintaining glycemic control.
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