Abstract

ISOLATION OF AN ALPHA AMYLASE INHIBITOR FROM MURRYA KOENIGII LEAVES

Tanaya Ghosh, Prasenjit Mitra and Prasanta Kumar Mitra*

Abstract

Patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus have high postprandial blood glucose level. One of the therapeutic approaches, therefore, is to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia. This can be achieved by inhibiting carbohydrate splitting enzymes. One such enzyme is alpha amylase which hydrolyses complex carbohydrates of food to free sugars. Inhibition in alpha amylase activity reduces hydrolysis of complex carbohydrate thereby postprandial hyperglycemia may be kept under control. Acarbose, one alpha amylase inhibitor, has already been included in the list of drugs of type - 2 diabetes mellitus. Still there is continuous search for alpha amylase inhibitors from different sources which even extended to the field of medicinal plants. Recently we have shown that ethanol extract of Murrya koenigii Linn. Spreng Wettst (M. koenigii L.) leaves has maximum in vitro alpha amylase inhibitory activity. Aim of the present work, therefore, was to isolate alpha amylase inhibitor from M. koenigii L. leaves. M. koenigii L. was collected from the local market and identified by the taxonomist. Ethanol extract of the plant leaves was processed for isolation work by standard methods. Solvent extraction and acid hydrolysis were done followed by solvent treatment and chromatographic experiments. Finally a compound was crystallized. In vitro alpha amylase inhibitory activity of the isolated compound was checked by standard method. Acarbose, an alpha amylase inhibitor, was used as control. Results showed that the isolated compound had strong alpha amylase inhibitory activity which was comparable to that of acarbose. The isolated compound may, therefore, be used in the management of diabetes.

Keywords: Murrya koenigii linn. Leaves, isolated compound, alpha amylase inhibitory activity, Acarbose, diabetes.