Antidiabetic Potential and Chemical Constituents of Haloxylon scoparium Aerial Part, An Endemic Plant from Southeastern Algeria

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease. Traditional medicines are currently still popular as an alternative in the treatment of this disease. However, the mechanism of action in lowering blood sugar of most folk recipes remains unproven. The objective of this study is to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of an Algerian halophyte in regulating postprandial hyperglycemia via α-amylase inhibitory activity. For this, methanolic and aqueous crude extracts were prepared from the aerial part of Haloxylon scoparium Pomel and analyzed by HPLC/UV method. Total flavonoids, total tannins and total alkaloids as specific extracts were also prepared from the same part. The in vitro α-amylase inhibition assay using starch-iodine was performed. As results, the methanolic crude extract seems to be the best with 29 phenolic compounds of which the most abundant is gallic acid. All tested extracts showed better α-amylase inhibitory activities. Among these extracts and compared to acarbose (IC50 = 17.96 µg/mL), the methanolic crude extract had the highest inhibitory activity (IC50 = 22.9 µg/mL), followed by total flavonoids and alkaloids. Finally, we conclude that Haloxylon scoparium aerial part had displayed maximum inhibition against α-amylase enzyme especially with its methanolic crude extract. It can be used for management of postprandial hyperglycemia with lesser side effects and provide a strong rationale for further animal and clinical studies.