Abstract

ISOLATION OF AN ALPHA GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITOR FROM ABUTILON INDICUM LINN LEAVES

Tanaya Ghosh and Prasanta Kumar Mitra*

ABSTRACT

Recently we have shown that ethanol extract of Abutilon indicum Linn. (A. indicum L.) leaves of rainy season has maximum in vitro alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity. Aim of the present work was to isolate alpha glucosidase inhibitor from A. indicum L. leaves. A. indicum L. leaves of rainy season were collected from the medicinal plant garden of North Bengal University, Siliguri, West Bengal and identified by the taxonomist. Ethanol extract of the plant leaves was processed for isolation work by standard techniques. Solvent extraction and acid hydrolysis were done followed by solvent treatment, chromatographic experiments and crystallization. A compound was crystallized. In vitro alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity of the isolated compound was checked by standard method. Acarbose, an alpha glucosidase inhibitor, was used as control. Results showed that the isolated compound had strong alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity which was comparable to that of acarbose. The isolated compound, therefore, may be used in the management of diabetes.

Keywords: Abutilon indicum Linn. leaves, isolated compound, alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity, acarbose, diabetes.