ABSTRACT
Background: Momordica charantia is a vine, native to tropics and subtropics that has found use in herbal medicine. In Nigeria, the plant is locally used in the treatment of diabetes. Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of terpenoid-rich extract from Momordica charantia on α-glucosidase activity. Method: The inhibitory effect of the terpenoid-rich extract from Momordica charantia on the activity of alpha-glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well as the determination of the mode of inhibition were investigated using in vitro assay methods. Results: The results revealed that the terpenoid-rich extract had a high IC50 of 1.60 mg/mL. The Lineweaver-Burk plot revealed that the extract exhibited partially mixedtype inhibition of α-glucosidase. Conclusions: It can be inferred from this study that although terpenoid-rich extract inhibited α-glucosidase, further purification will be necessary on the extract so as to increase its potency as an inhibitor of α-glucosidase. The action of the extract on α-glucosidase provided an insight into the probable mechanism of action of Momordica charantia in reducing hyperglycemia.
Antecedentes: Momordica charantia es una vid, nativa de las regiones tropicales y subtropicales que ha sido usada en la medicina herbal. En Nigeria, esta planta se ha usado localmente en el tratamiento de la diabetes. Objetivo: Investigar el efecto inhibitorio del extracto rico en terpenoides de Momordica charantia sobre la actividad de la α-glucosidasa. Método: El efecto inhibitorio del extracto rico en terpenoides de Momordica charantia sobre sobre la actividad de la α-glucosidasa y el modo de inhibición se evaluó con un ensayo in vitro. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que el extracto rico en terpenoides tiene un alto IC50 de 1,60 mg/mL. El gráfico Lineweaver-Burk reveló que el extracto presenta una inhibición combinada de la α-glucosidasa. Conclusión: De este estudio se infiere que aunque el extracto rico en terpenoides inhibió la α-glucosidasa, es necesario realizar una purificación con el fin de incrementar su potencia como inhibidor de la α-glucosidasa. La acción del extracto sobre la α-glucosidasa proporciona un entendimiento del mecanismo de acción probable de Momordica charantia en la reducción de la hiperglicemia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Terpenes , Momordica charantia , alpha-Glucosidases , Reactive Inhibition , HyperglycemiaABSTRACT
Luffa egyptiaca and Nicotiana rustica are used in traditional medicine to treat snakebites and were evaluated for inhibitory activities on Naja nigricolis venom protease. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of L. egyptiaca significantly reduced the maximum velocity (Vmax) and the computed index of physiological efficiency (Kcat) of the enzyme in a dose dependent fashion. The protease activity was non-competitively inhibited by the aqueous extract of N. rustica with the Vmax significantly decreased and the K(M) remained unchanged. However, the N. rustica ethanol extract completely inhibited the protease activity. Ethyl acetate fractions partitioned from ethanol extracts of both plants were also found to completely inhibit the N. nigricolis venom protease activity at 0.1 and 0.05%. The use of these plants could be important in the treatment of snakebites.
Subject(s)
Elapid Venoms/enzymology , Elapidae , Luffa/chemistry , Nicotiana/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Protease Inhibitors/pharmacology , Animals , Peptide Hydrolases/metabolism , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Protease Inhibitors/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
A survey was carried out in Kaduna State of Nigeria to establish the indigenous knowledge system for treating trypanosomiasis in domestic animals. Questionnaire and interviews were, respectively, administered to, or conducted with about 200 livestock farmers and traders spread around the state. Data obtained revealed the use of several plants either alone or in combination, for the treatment and management of trypasonomiasis. The most common plants encountered were Adansonia digitata, Terminalia avicennoides, Khaya senegalensis, Cissus populnea, Tamarindus indica, Lawsonia inermis, Boswellia dalzielli, Pseudocedrela kotschi, Syzyium quinensis, Sterculia setigera, Afzelia africana, Prosopis africana, Lancea kerstingii. The method of preparation and mode of administration of some of these plants in the treatment of trypanosomiasis are reviewed and discussed.