Evaluation of in-vitro antidiabetic activity of leaf juice of Plectranthus amboinicus (lour.)

Diabetes mellitus ‘the disease of modern civilization’ is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia. The management of elevated post prandial glucose is critical to control the sequale of complications and α-amylase, α-glucosidases are responsible for elevated plasma glucose. Enzyme inhibitors in current clinical practice like acarbose, voglibose etc. are known to cause various gastrointestinal side effects. The present study was aimed to screen for potential α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors from natural sources by in–vitro antidiabetic assays to overcome the side effects and toxicity. Different concentrations of leaf juice of Plectranthus amboinicus Lour. (20, 40, 60, 80 &100 μg/ml) were tested against fungal α-amylase and α-glucosidases isolated from albino rat small intestine and a prominent dose dependent inhibition of the enzymes was observed comparable with the marketed product, Acarbose. The IC50 values of LJPA and acarbose on fungal α-amylase was found to be 83.15 &52.15 μg/ml respectively. The IC50 values of LJPA and acarbose on α-glucosidase was found to be 92.44 &54.84 μg/ml respectively. The protein concentration of leaf juice was found to be 10.6 mg/ml.