Antidiabetic potential of methanol extracts from leaves of Piper umbellatum L.and Persea americana Mill

ABSTRACT

Objective:To determine inhibitory activity of methanolic leaf extract of Piper umbellatum and Persea americana (P.americana) (traditionally used in Cameroon against diabetes) on α-glucosidase,β-glucosidase,maltase-gluconmylase,aldose reductase and aldehyde reductase activities,enzymes involved in starch digestion or diabetic complications.Methods:The methanol extracts from Piper umbellatum and P.americana were prepared by maceration.To assess relative efficacy of these extracts,the determination of concentrations that were needed to inhibit 50％ of enzyme activity was done,whereas,gas chromatography-mass spectrum was used to identify components from extracts that may be responsible for the activities.Resullts The tested extracts strongly inhibited α-glucosidase,maltase-glucoamylase,aldose reductase and aldehyde reductase activities with IC50 ranging from (1.07 ± 0.03) to 01.77 + 1.17) μg/mL.Among the tested extracts,P.americana was the most active against sensitive enzymes (IC50 of 1.07 ± 0.03 to 15.63 ± 1.23).But,none of the extracts showed interesting inhibitory effect against β-glucosidase as their percentage inhibitions were less than 16％.From gas chromatographymass spectrum analysis,10 and 8 compounds were identified in Piper umbellatum and P.americana extracts respectively,using NIST library 2014.Conclusions:Results of this study provide the scientific credential for a prospective usage of these plants to treat diabetes.