Inhibition of human intestinal α-glucosidases by calystegines

J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Jun 12;61(23):5550-7. doi: 10.1021/jf4010737. Epub 2013 Jun 3.

Abstract

Calystegines are polyhydroxylated nortropane alkaloids found in Convolvulaceae, Solanaceae, and other plant families. These plants produce common fruits and vegetables. The calystegine structures resemble sugars and suggest interaction with enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism. Maltase and sucrase are α-glucosidases contributing to human carbohydrate degradation in the small intestine. Inhibition of these enzymes by orally administered drugs is one option for treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2. In this study, inhibition of maltase and sucrase by calystegines A3 and B2 purified from potatoes was investigated. In silico docking studies confirmed binding of both calystegines to the active sites of the enzymes. Calystegine A3 showed low in vitro enzyme inhibition; calystegine B2 inhibited mainly sucrose activity. Both compounds were not transported by Caco-2 cells indicating low systemic availability. Vegetables rich in calystegine B2 should be further investigated as possible components of a diet preventing a steep increase in blood glucose after a carbohydrate-rich meal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors*
  • Humans
  • Intestine, Small / chemistry
  • Intestine, Small / enzymology*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Protein Binding
  • Solanum tuberosum / chemistry*
  • Tropanes / chemistry*
  • Tropanes / isolation & purification
  • alpha-Glucosidases / chemistry
  • alpha-Glucosidases / metabolism

Substances

  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tropanes
  • calystegin
  • alpha-Glucosidases