Nisha Joseph
Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Catholicate College Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.
S. Deepthi
Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Catholicate College Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.
Gokul G. Nair
Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Catholicate College Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.
Merin Grace Jiji
Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Catholicate College Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India.
In this post, we present a brief overview of our recently published book chapter titled “Evaluation of α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Selected Plants”
“Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder, has become a significant global health concern due to its increasing prevalence and associated complications”. “According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 463 million adults worldwide suffer from diabetes, with this number expected to rise to 578 million by 2030”. The management of diabetes involves controlling blood glucose levels, and one therapeutic approach is to inhibit carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes, such as α-amylase, which plays a crucial role in carbohydrate digestion.
Inhibition of α-amylase has been recognised as a potential strategy for reducing postprandial hyperglycemia by slowing down carbohydrate absorption. α-Amylase, secreted by the salivary glands and pancreas, catalyses the hydrolysis of starch into oligosaccharides and disaccharides, which are further broken down into glucose by α-glucosidase in the small intestine. Suppressing these enzymes retards carbohydrate hydrolysis and glucose uptake, thereby limiting the surge in blood glucose levels after meals—an important strategy in diabetes control.
Currently, synthetic α-amylase inhibitors such as acarbose, miglitol, and voglibose and glucose-lowering agents like metformin, which control glucose absorption and production, are used clinically. Metformin is recommended in all of the main international guidelines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and in 2011, the World Health Organisation (WHO) added metformin to its list of essential medicines. However, these drugs are often associated with gastrointestinal side effects, including bloating, flatulence, and diarrhoea, which limit their long-term use. Consequently, there is growing interest in exploring natural α-amylase inhibitors from plants, which are perceived to be safer and more tolerable. This has prompted a growing interest in identifying natural α-amylase inhibitors from plant sources that offer comparable efficacy with fewer adverse effects.
Numerous plants have been traditionally used in various cultures for their potential antidiabetic properties, and some have shown promising α-amylase inhibitory activity in vitro. The present research aims to evaluate the in vitro α-amylase inhibitory activity of selected plants known for their traditional use in diabetes management. By assessing their inhibitory potential and phytochemical profiles, this study seeks to identify promising candidates for further development into safe and effective antidiabetic agents.