α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of selected Philippine plants

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Antidesma bunius Spreng. (Phyllantaceae), Averrhoa bilimbi L. (Oxalidaceae), Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. (Oxalidaceae), Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob. (Rhizophoraceae), Kyllinga monocephala Rottb. (Cyperaceae), and Rhizophora mucronata Lam. (Rhizophoraceae) are used as remedies to control diabetes. In the present study, these plants were screened for their potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Materials and methods: The 80% aqueous ethanolic extracts were screened for their α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity using yeast alpha glucosidase enzyme.

Results: Except for A. bilimbi with IC(50) at 519.86±3.07, all manifested a significant enzyme inhibitory activity. R. mucronata manifested the highest activity with IC(50) at 0.08±1.82 μg mL(-1), followed by C. tagal with IC(50) at 0.85±1.46 μg mL(-1) and B. sensitivum with IC(50) at 2.24±1.58 μg mL(-1).

Conclusion: This is the first report on the α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of the six Philippine plants; thus, partly defining the mechanism on why these medicinal plants possess antidiabetic properties.