Evaluation of Inhibitory Activities of Two Common Vegetables (Heinsia crinata and Lasianthera africana) on Alpha Amylase and Alpha Glucosidase of Rats

Abstract

Heinsia crinata (Afzel.) G. Taylor (Rubiaceae) and Lasianthera africana. P.Beav (Stemonuraceae), which are common vegetables employed in the preparation of soups by the Ibibios and also used as medicine traditionally to treat variousdiseases including diabetes, were investigated for effect on alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes. H. crinata(450, 900, and 1350 mg/kg) and L. africana (250, 500, and 750 mg/kg) leaves extracts were evaluated for their effects on alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes in vivo using starch, sucrose and maltose as substrates. Acarbose was used as reference drug. The leaf extracts caused significant (p<0.05) and non dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose levels of treated rats with the various substrates used. The results suggest that the leaf extracts of these vegetables have the potentials to inhibit alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes in rats.