α-Glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors from Myrcia spp.: a stronger alternative to acarbose?

J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2016 Jan 25:118:322-327. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2015.10.042. Epub 2015 Nov 4.

Abstract

"Pedra hume caá" is the common name of five species of Myrcia genus used as traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In this study, different extracts from Myrcia salicifolia, Myrcia sphaerocarpa, and Myrcia speciosa were investigated for the first time, to identify their phenolic compounds (being 3-O-rhamnoside derivatives of myricetin and quercetin the major ones) and in vitro inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. These extracts inhibited 90-500 times more α-glucosidase (IC50=0.7 to 4.1 μg ml(-1)) than acarbose and displayed a mild inhibition against α-amylase (IC50=6.1 to 29 μg mL(-1)).

Keywords: HPLC-DAD; Medicinal plants; Myrcia spp.; Polyphenols; α-Amylase; α-Glucosidase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acarbose* / chemistry
  • Acarbose* / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors / isolation & purification*
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Myrtaceae*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Leaves
  • alpha-Amylases* / metabolism
  • alpha-Glucosidases* / metabolism

Substances

  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
  • Plant Extracts
  • alpha-Amylases
  • alpha-Glucosidases
  • Acarbose