ALPHA AMYLASE AND ALPHA GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITIES OF Croton zambesicus LEAF FRACTIONS IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Croton zambesicus Muell Arg. (Euphorbiaceace) a medicinal plant used traditionally in the treatment of diseases including diabetes was evaluated for effect on alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes in vivo. The leaf fractions (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, 150 mg/kg) of C. zambesicus were investigated in vivo for inhibitory effect on alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes using starch, sucrose and maltose as substrates. Acarbose was used as reference drug. The leaf fractions (n-hexane, DCM and ethyl acetate) caused significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose levels of treated rats with the various substrates used. DCM fraction exerted the highest inhibitory effect when starch was used as substrate followed by n-hexane. N-hexane was the most active fraction followed by ethyl acetate when sucrose and maltose were used as substrates. The results suggest that the leaf fractions of C. zambesicus have the potentials to inhibit alpha amylase and glucosidase in rats.