Hypoglycemic effect of 13-membered ring thiocyclitol, a novel alpha-glucosidase inhibitor from Kothala-himbutu (Salacia reticulata).

A novel 13-membered ring thiocyclitol, isolated from an aqueous extract of Kothala-himbutu (Salacia reticulata), inhibited alpha-glucosidase in vitro. The inhibitory activity was investigated by maltose- and sucrose-loading on Wistar rats. This study found significant lowering of postprandial glucose levels, and the potency of 13-membered ring thiocyclitol was confirmed in vivo.