Analysis of Achyranthes aspera L. extracts for their α-Amylase and urease inhibitory activities

Abstract

Plant products have served as a major source of useful drugs for centuries and about half of the pharmaceuticals in use today are derived from these natural products. The efficacy and safety of herbal medicines have attracted the attention of scientists towards medicinal plants research. The present study was designed to investigate the whole plant extracts of Achyranthes aspera L. for their anti-enzyme (α-amylae and urease) activity. All the extracts of A. aspera were reported to show good alpha-amylase and urease inhibitory activity of greater than 50% in all the solvents used at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. α- amylase inhibition ranged from 17.66±0.10-69.90±0.50% whereas urease inhibitory activity ranged from 18.60±0.50 to 79.90±0.50% suggesting a strong α- amylase and urease inhibitory effects of this plant. Thus the study provided scientific evidence to the traditional uses of this plant in the treatment of obesity, diabetes, ulcers, kidney stones intestinal infections etc. Therefore, the whole plant extracts of A. aspera can be selected for further investigation to find their therapeutic potential. Keywords: Achyranthes aspera, plant extracts, α-Amylase, Urease