In Vitro study on α-amylase inhibitory activities of Digitaria exilis, Pentadiplandra brazzeana (Baill) and Monodora myristica.

In the present study, the hot and cold aqueous extracts of Digitaria exilis and Pentadiplandra brazzeana (Baill) as well as the ethanolic extract of Monodora myristica were screened for their anti diabetic activity via inhibition of α-amylase. The root of Pentadiplandra brazzeana Baill and the grains of Acha (Digitaria exilis) were extracted by Soaking in hot and cold water while the seed of Monodora myristica was extracted using 70% ethanol. α-amylase was significantly inhibited by Digitaria exilis, Pentadiplandra brazzeana Baill and Monodora myristica. Results showed that the three plants can act as potent α-amylase inhibitor. The cold aqueous extract of Pentadiplandra brazzeana Baill showed the highest inhibition against pancreatic α-amylase among the plants studied with IC50 value of 197.63±1.450 μg/ml while the ethanolic extract of Monodora myristica showed the least with IC50 value of 408.17±2.945. α-amylase inhibitors from herbal sources offer an attractive therapeutic approach to the treatment of postprandial hyperglycemia by decreasing glucose release from starch and may have potential for use in the treatment/management of diabetes mellitus and obesity.