Hypoglycaemic And Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Activities Of Fermented Seeds Of Parkia Biglobosa (Jacq) Benth

Abstract

Following our continuing search for plant anti-diabetic agents, we report results of a bioactivity-guided fractionation of fermented seeds of Parkia biglobosa used in ethnomedicine in South West Nigeria to manage diabetes mellitus. An active aqueous MeOH macerate was separated by solvent partition and the bioactive CHCl3 extract fractionated on column chromatography packed with silica gel G60A, eluting with gradient mixtures of Pet ether, EtOAC and MeOH.Biologically monitored separation of extracts was achieved using alloxan-diabetic rats, glucose loading (1g/kg) and alpha-amylase inhibition assays as basis for identification of active constituent. Peak reduction (48.5%, P<0.5) of blood glucose was observed after eight hours and the crude extract significantly reduced elevated cholesterol and protein levels after ten days of treatment. An alpha-amylase inhibitor (40mg, 64% inhibition, P < 0.05) was purified on prep. TLC and characterized by spectroscopy and co-chromatography with authentic sample. The inhibition of ?  – amylase was significant and comparable to acarbose. The significance of isolation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of diabetes mellitus is discussed.