ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health problem for millions of people worldwide. Nowadays, medicinal plantshave started gaining more attention in diabetes management due to the minimal side effects and cost-effectiveness.This study aims to ascertain the antidiabetic potential of the Etlingera elatior flowers aqueous extract on the in vitroinhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzymes and in vivo type 2 DM rat model. The findings demonstrate that E.elatior flower has a high percentage of inhibitory activity against α-amylase (99.70 ± 2.88%) and moderate activityfor the α-glucosidase enzyme (52.39 ± 1.50%). In addition, E. elatior flower has also exhibited an antihyperglycemiceffect that is dose-dependent and has significantly decreased the elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, and lowdensity lipoprotein levels in the in vivo study. Furthermore, serum creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkalinephosphatase also were significantly decreased when compared to untreated DM. The high contents of total phenolic(39.06 ± 1.59 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid (39.00 ± 2.42 mg QE/g extract), and potent antioxidant activity weresuggested to contribute to the antidiabetic activity of the extract. In conclusion, E. elatior flower could potentially bedeveloped as a natural source of antioxidants that can be used for the prevention or treatment of diabetes.