Effect of Artocarpus altilis on Carbohydrate Hydrolyzing Enzymes and Glucose Uptake by Yeast Cells: An Ex-vivo Study

Abstract

Medicinal plants are known to posses therapeutic properties and have been used since ancient times to treat various human diseases/disorders effectively. In the present study, the effect of Artocarpus altilis leaves (AL), bark (AB), and fruit (AF) on glucose hydrolyzing enzymes α-amylase, α-glucosidase, sucrase, and effect on glucose uptake by yeast cells was investigated. Inhibition of all three enzymes by the cold and hot aqueous extracts of AB was the highest followed by AL and AF. AL and AB in powder form increased the activity of α-glucosidase. The highest glucose uptake by yeast cells was by AL followed by AB and AF. The enhancement of glucose uptake was dependent on both the sample and glucose concentration. The results suggest that the possible mode of action of A. altilis as hypoglycemic agent is by inhibiting carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes and by facilitating the glucose diffusion through cell membrane, hence can be effectively utilized as therapeutic agents in the management of type II diabetes.

Keywords:

• α-amylase
• α-glucosidase
• sucrase
• diabetes