Inhibition of pancreatic lipase and amylase by extracts of different spices and plants

Abstract

The aim of this study is to search new anti-obesity and anti-diabetic agents from plant and spices crude extracts as alternative to synthetic drugs. The inhibitory effect of 72 extracts was evaluated, in vitro, on lipase and amylase activities. Aqueous extracts of cinnamon and black tea exhibited an appreciable inhibitory effect on pancreatic amylase with IC₅₀ values of 18 and 87 μg, respectively. Aqueous extracts of cinnamon and mint showed strong inhibitory effects against pancreatic lipase with IC₅₀ of 45 and 62 μg, respectively. The presence of bile salts and colipase or an excess of interface failed to restore the lipase activity. Therefore, the inhibition of pancreatic lipase, by extracts of spices and plants, belongs to an irreversible inhibition. Crude extract of cinnamon showed the strongest anti-lipase and anti-amylase activities which offer a prospective therapeutic approach for the management of diabetes and obesity.

Keywords:

• Obesity
• diabetes
• aqueous extract
• cinnamon
• clove

Acknowledgements

We thank Prof. Nabil Miled for the fruitful discussion during the preparation of this work. The authors are indebted to Dr Anouar Fendri, Associate Professor attached to Sfax University, for English language correction.

Disclosure statement

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

Funding

This work was funded by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tunisia.