ANTIDIABETIC POTENTIAL OF MARINE RED ALGA CHAMPIA PARVULA (C. AGARDH) BY INHIBITING KEY METABOLIC ENZYMES

Abstract

Alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase are key enzymes of dietary carbohydrates digestion in humans. Inhibitors of these enzymes may be effective in retarding carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption to suppress postprandial hyperglycemia. In the present study in vitro antidiabetic activity of red alga Champia parvula (C. Agardh) was evaluated using alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase. The highest percentage of alpha amylase inhibition by crude methanol extract of Champia parvula was found to be (98.50 ± 0.02 μg/g) at 900 μg/mL. Similarly, the highest percentage of alpha glucosidase inhibition by crude methanol extract of Champia parvula was found to be (91.48 ± 0.02 μg/g) at 900 μg/mL, nevertheless the IC50 value of alpha amylase shows twofold higher than the alpha glucosidase. Thus, Champia parvula can be effective for the treatment of diabetes through inhibition of alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes and leads to development of natural drug in the pharmaceutical field.