Evaluating the use of root extract of Abroma augusta as alpha glucosidase inhibitor for Type-II diabetes

The present study was designed to investigate α-d-glucosidase inhibitory activity of root extract of Abroma augusta (A.augusta) . Screening of different extracts (petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, acetone, ethanol and aqueous extract) of A.augusta was carried out in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced Type-II diabetic animals. The most active extract was evaluated for α-d-glucosidase inhibitory activity. α-d-glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as In-vitro model to assess α-d-glucosidase inhibitory activity of plant extract. The results showed that petroleum ether extract exhibited the most significant (p<0.0001) effect in STZ-NA induced Type-II diabetes and appreciable dose dependent In-vitro α-d-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC 50 value of 1150 μg/ml. These results provide that the root extracts of A.augusta might be a potential source of antidiabetic agent for the treatment of Type-II diabetes and its α-d-glucosidase inhibitory potential could be one of the possible mechanism for its antidiabetic effect.