Inhibition of carbohydrate degrading enzymes by the root of Borassus flabellifer – an in vitro evaluation

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder which is characterized by hyperglycemia. Chronic elevation in blood glucose level causes micro and macrovascular complications. Therapeutic management of diabetes involves the control of hyperglycemia by inhibiting carbohydrate degrading enzymes like amylase and glucosidase. This study was aimed at investigating the inhibitory potential of the root of Borassus flabellifer against enzymes such as amylase and glucosidase. The hexane, chloroform, petroleum ether, ethanol, and hydroalcoholic extracts of the root of Borassus flabellifer were studied for their inhibitory potential against amylase and glucosidase. The inhibitory potential of the extracts were compared to the potential exhibited by the standard inhibitor, acarbose.  The hydroalcoholic extract was found to be the most potent inhibitor of both the enzymes with an IC50 of 652.37 and 607.06 µg/ml, much comparable to that of acarbose (612.55 and 550.38 µg/ml). The extract could inhibit 50 % of aldose reductase activity at a concentration of 1 mg/ml.  The observations of this study suggest that the root of Borassus flabellifer may be a promising source for developing effective oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs.