Plant extracts are the potential inhibitors of α-amylase: a review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Among the various therapeutic approaches to treat diabetes, postprandial hyperglycemia reduction is at most importance. This approach is used to prevent absorption of glucose by the inhibition of enzymes which hydrolyze carbohydrates, such as alpha-amylase. The α-amylase is one of the main products of secretion of the salivary glands and pancreas, which plays a role in the digestion of starch and glycogen and can be found in microorganisms, plants and higher organisms. α-amylase enzyme catalyzing the initial step in the hydrolysis of starch to the oligosaccharide mixture consisting of maltose, malt triose 6-8 and oligosaccharides containing glucose units both α-1,4 and α-1,6 linkages branched. Here in the present work a review was carried to collectively highlight all those potent alpha-amylase inhibitors whose sources are plants. These inhibitors possess antioxidant and are the considered strong tools in future treatments of diabetes mellitus as well free from side effects.