TITLE:
Is Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibition a Mechanism of the Antidiabetic Action of Garlic (Allium sativum)?
AUTHORS:
Patience Obih, John-Clifford Obih, Okai Arome
KEYWORDS:
Diabetes, Alpha-Glucosidase, Medicinal Plants, Garlic (Allium sativum), Mechanism of Action
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.7 No.10,
October
15,
2019
ABSTRACT: Objective: There has been a global surge in the number of diabetic cases. Many of the agents used as antidiabetic are either expensive or have side effects. Researchers are now turning their attention to phytotherapy as a viable alternative in the treatment of hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to examine the inhibition of α-glucosidase as a possible mechanism of antidiabetic action of garlic. Method: The inhibitory effect of different concentrations of garlic was examined for alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity in a 96-well micro plate. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as the source of alpha-glucosidase and the assay was analyzed with a Thermo Scientific® Multiskan Spectropho-meter at an absorbance of 400 nm. Result: The extracts of garlic exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of alpha-glucosidase in comparison to acarbose. The IC50 of acarbose was 3.19 ± 0.42 mg/ml, for garlic, the IC50 was 16.93 mg/ml. Conclusion: In this study, garlic oil showed some promise as an antidiabetic agent with a mechanism of action similar to acarbose and miglitol that are currently used as antidiabetics. It is hoped that carrying out further research on garlic will elucidate other mechanisms of action.