In vitro Alpha- Amylase and Alpha- Glucosidase Inhibitory Effects of the Methanolic Leaf Extract of Ficus abutilifolia
Umma Aliyu Idris
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B. 2218, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria.
Abdullahi Nasir *
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B. 2218, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria.
Ibrahim Hamza Kankia
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B. 2218, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria.
Aliyu Ibrahim Yaradua
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B. 2218, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria.
Ibrahim Usman Muhammad
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, North West University, P.M.B. 3220, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria.
Akilu Sada Abdullahi
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B. 2218, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria.
Rukayya Lawal Gambo
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, P.M.B. 2218, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria.
Haruna Tsoho Bala
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bayero University, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To investigate α –amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects of the methanolic leaf extract of Ficus abutilifolia In vitro.
Study Design: The leaf extract was fractionated using Thin Layer Chromatography.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, between July 2024 and November 2024.
Methodology: The fractions of the leaf extract were evaluated for the presence of phytochemicals. The fractions were subjected to α –amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays. Different functional groups of bioactive compounds present in the fractions were identified using FT-IR spectroscopy.
Results: Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, and cardiac glycosides. Quantification of the phytochemicals showed total alkaloids of (43.556 ± 7.154 mg AE/g), total saponins of (50.857 ± 0.584 mg DE/g), total flavonoids of (36.927± 0.554 mg RE/g) total phenols of (98.419± 9.548 GAE/g), and total cardiac glycosides of (0.540 ± 0.010 %). All the fractions displayed significant inhibitory activities against α –amylase and α-glucosidase. However, Fraction 1 had inhibited α- amylase and α-glucosidase higher than other fractions with IC50 values (36.233 ± 3.223 μg/mL and 121.265 ± 6.348 μg/mL) respectively, though significantly (p< 0.05) lower than acarbose (11.688 ± 3.205 μg/mL and 82.046 ± 3.571 μg/mL). Fraction 3 showed weak inhibitory activity on both enzymes (72.023 ± 5.400 μg/mL and 145.963 ± 4.400 μg/mL). FT-IR analysis of the fractions revealed the presence of different functional groups such as alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, phenols/alcohols, aldehydes, alkyl halides, aliphatic and aromatic amines.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the methanolic leaf extract of Ficus abutilifolia possesses in vitro α –amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects which could be useful in management of postprandial hyperglycemia.
Keywords: Ficus abutilifolia, α –amylase, α-glucosidase, inhibitory effects