Antidiabetic Activity ofGnidia glaucaandDioscorea bulbifera: Potent Amylase and Glucosidase Inhibitors

Abstract

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder affecting about 220 million people worldwide. One of the most critical complications of diabetes is post-prandial hyper-glycemia (PPHG). Glucosidase inhibitor andα-amylase inhibitors are class of compounds that help in managing PPHG. Low-cost herbal treatment is recommended due to their lesser side effect for treatment of diabetes. Two plants with significant traditional therapeutic potential, namely,Gnidia glaucaandDioscorea bulbifera, were tested for their efficiency to inhibitα-amylase andα-glucosidase. Stem, leaf, and flower ofG. glaucaand bulb ofD. bulbiferawere sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and methanol as well as separately with 70% ethanol. Petroleum ether extract of flower ofG. glaucawas found to inhibitα-amylase significantly (78.56%). Extracts were further tested against crude murine pancreatic, small intestinal, and liver glucosidase enzyme which revealed excellent inhibitory properties.α-glucosidase inhibition provided a strongin vitroevidence for confirmation of bothG. glaucaandD. bulbiferaas excellent antidiabetic remedy. This is the first report of its kind that provides a strong biochemical basis for management of type II diabetes usingG. glaucaandD. bulbifera. These results provide intense rationale for furtherin vivoand clinical study.