Optimization of podophyllotoxin extraction method from Linum album cell cultures

Context: Suspension cultures of Linum album Kotschy ex Boiss. (Linaceae) accumulate podophyllotoxin (an anticancer agent) and could therefore serve as an alternative source of this important aryltetralin lactone lignan.

Objective: The present work compared four podophyllotoxin extraction methods and optimization of the best one by using single factor experiments.

Materials and methods: Linum album cell cultures were established from in vitro plantlets and subcultured in MS medium with hormones every 7–8 days. Four podophyllotoxin extraction methods were assayed and the best one was optimized by single factor experiments, studying the effect of methanol concentration, extraction time, and sonication time.

Results: Cell cultures accumulated enough podophyllotoxin to be analyzed by HPLC. The methanol/dichloromethane and buffer extraction methods were found to be the best. Methanol alone and hot ethanol were not effective for extracting podophyllotoxin.

Discussion and conclusion: The optimized method based on methanol/dichloromethane extraction combined with HPLC quantification was able to determine small amounts of podophyllotoxin in Linum album cell cultures, showing that this system could constitute a possible alternative source of podophyllotoxin to Podophyllum (Berberidaceae).     

Study of cytotoxic activity,podophyllotoxin, and deoxypodophyllotoxin content in selected Juniperus species cultivated in Poland

Abstract

Context: The demand for podophyllotoxin and deoxypodophyllotoxin is still increasing and commercially exploitable sources are few and one of them, Podophyllum hexandrum Royle (Berberidaceae), is a “critically endangered” species.

Objective: The first aim was to quantify the amount of podophyllotoxin and deoxypodophyllotoxin in 61 Juniperus (Cupressaceae) samples. Cytotoxic activity of podophyllotoxin and ethanolic leaf extracts of Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. “Blue Pacific” and Juniperus communis L. “Depressa Aurea” was examined against different leukemia cell lines.

Materials and methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) analysis was performed with the use of a Waters ACQUITY UPLC^TM system (Waters Corp., Milford, MA). The peaks of podophyllotoxin and deoxypodophyllotoxin were assigned on the basis of their retention data and mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). Trypan blue assay was performed to obtain IC₅₀ cytotoxicity values against selected leukemia cell lines.

Results: Juniperus scopulorum was characterized with the highest level of podophyllotoxin (486.7?mg/100?g DW) while Juniperus davurica Pall. contained the highest amount of deoxypodophyllotoxin (726.8?mg/100?g DW). Podophyllotoxin IC₅₀ cytotoxicity values against J45.01 and CEM/C1 leukemia cell lines were 0.0040 and 0.0286?µg/mL, respectively. Juniperus scopulorum extract examined against J45.01 and HL-60/MX2 leukemia cell lines gave the respective IC₅₀ values: 0.369–9.225?µg/mL. Juniperus communis extract was characterized with the following IC₅₀ cytotoxity values against J45.01 and U-266B1 cell lines: 3.310–24.825?µg/mL.

Conclusions: Juniperus sp. can be considered as an alternative source of podophyllotoxin and deoxypodophyllotoxin. Cytotoxic activity of podophyllotoxin and selected leaf extracts of Juniperus sp. against a set of leukemia cell lines was demonstrated.     

The growth and medicinal quality of Epimedium wushanense are improved by an isolate of dark septate fungus

Abstract

Context: Seven dark-septate endophytic (DSE) fungi have been isolated from the roots of Epimedium wushanense T. S. Ying (Berberidaceae), an important medicinal plant with various pharmacological activities.

Objective: The current study explores the effects of seven DSE fungi on the growth and accumulation of bioactive compounds in E. wushanense.

Materials and methods: Each 1-month-old E. wushanense seedling was inoculated with one of the seven DSE fungi and was grown under greenhouse conditions for 90?d. The molecular identification of the fungi was based on the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 nuclear ribosomal gene cluster.

Results: The results showed that the influence of DSE fungi inoculation varied between strains. Inoculation with DSE8 not only significantly enhanced plant height, root length, leaf area, leaf number, and shoot and root biomass but also improved the total flavonoid and icariin content, with an increase ranging from 20.24% to 237.97%. Three of the seven DSE fungi caused the inoculated plants to die, and the remaining three DSE strains showed neutral or negative effects on plant growth and the accumulation of bioactive compounds. According to the ITS sequence, DSE8 is congeneric to the genus Leptodontidium.

Discussion and conclusion: The findings indicate that application of DSE8 may be valuable to facilitate the cultivation of E. wushanense with a higher biomass and improved medicinal quality.     

Changes in the contents of main secondary metabolites in two Turkish Hypericum species during plant development

Context: The genus Hypericum (Guttiferae) has received considerable scientific interest as a source of biologically active compounds.

Objective: The study determined the morphogenetic and ontogenetic variation in the main bioactive compounds of two Hypericum species, namely, Hypericum aviculariifolium subsp. depilatum var. depilatum (Freyn and Bornm.) Robson var. depilatum and Hypericum orientale L. through HPLC analyses of whole plants as well as individual plant parts (stems, leaves, and reproductive tissues).

Materials and methods: The plant materials were harvested at five phenological stages: vegetative, floral budding, full flowering, fresh fruiting, and mature fruiting; dried at room temperature, then assayed for chemical content.

Results: In H. aviculariifolium, no kaempferol accumulation was observed and the highest level of hypericin, pseudohypericin, and quercitrin was reached at full flowering (0.71, 1.78, and 4.15?mg/g DW, respectively). Plants, harvested at floral budding produced the highest amount of rutin, hyperoside, and isoquercitrine (32.96, 2.42, 1.52?mg/g DW, respectively). H. orientale did not produce hypericin, pseudohypericin, or kaempferol. Rutin, hyperoside, and isoquercetine levels were the highest at floral development (1.76, 11.85, and 1.21?mg/g DW, respectively) and plants harvested at fresh fruiting produced the highest amount of quercitrine and quercetine (0.20 and 1.30?mg/g DW, respectively).

Discussion: For the first time, the chemical composition of the Turkish species of Hypericum was monitored during the course of ontogenesis to determine the ontogenetic and morphogenetic changes in chemical content.

Conclusions: Plant material should be harvested during flower ontogenesis for medicinal purposes in which the content of many bioactive substances tested reached their highest level.     

Factors affecting podophyllotoxin yield in the ex situ grown <Emphasis Type="Italic">Podophyllum hexandrum</Emphasis>, an endangered alpine native of the western Himalayas

This study reports an appreciable yield of podophyllotoxin (PDT) in P. hexandrum plants grown ex situ under polyhouse conditions of a temperate locale. The PDT content of below-ground parts was affected by both plant age and growth period. However, only the effect of plant age on PDT content was significant. Thus, the highest amounts of PDT were recorded in the below-ground parts of 2-year-old plants harvested during the late-growth period (LGP). High total soluble sugars in the below-ground parts during the early growth period (EGP) and the highest nitrate and nitrate reductase in the leaves of 2-year-old plants during the peak-growth period (PGP) indicated higher mobilization and assimilation of starch and nitrate. Probably the surplus carbon and nitrogen gained during the PGP were diverted from aerial parts to below-ground parts during the LGP and in turn contributed to the synthesis of higher amounts of PDT. This study shows that commercial cultivation of P. hexandrum is possible under ex situ temperate conditions.     

草药窝儿七化学成分的研究

自陕西民间草药窝儿七(Diphylleia sinensis Li.)根茎中分离出三种结晶成分。鉴定为鬼臼素(podophyllotoxin)、脱氢鬼臼素(dehydropodophyllotoxin)及山奈黄酮醇(kaempferol),其中鬼臼素得量较高,达2.5%。     

Chemical composition and biological activities of Helicteres vegae and Heliopsis sinaloensis

Context: Helicteres vegae Cristóbal (Sterculiaceae) (Hv) and Heliopsis sinaloensis B.L. Turner (Asteraceae) (Hs) are endangered and poorly studied plant species; related plants have been used against chronic-degenerative and infectious diseases. Therefore, Hv and Hs could be sources of bioactive compounds against these illnesses.

Objective: To determine the chemical composition and biological activities (antioxidant, antimutagenic and antimicrobial) of Hv and Hs leaves (L) and stems (S).

Materials and methods: Methanol extracts (ME) of each plant/tissue were evaluated for their phytochemicals; phenolics (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS); antioxidant activity (AA) (0.125–4?mg/mL) (DPPH, ABTS, ORAC and β-carotene discoloration); antimutagenicity (0.5 and 1?mg/plate) (Ames assay, tester strain Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium YG1024, 1-nitropyrene as mutagen); activity against human pathogens (1?mg/mL); and toxicity (0.01–2?mg/mL) (Artemia salina assay).

Results: All ME showed flavonoids and triterpenes/steroids. The ME-SHv had the highest content of total phenolics (TP) (2245.82?±?21.45?mg GAE/100?g d.w.) and condensed tannins (603.71?±?1.115?mg CE/100?g d.w.). The compounds identified were flavonoids (kaempferol 7-O-coumaroylhexoside, and two kaempferol 7-O-rhamnosylhexosides) and phenolics [rosmarinic acid, and 3′-O-(8″-Z-caffeoyl) rosmarinic acid]. The ME-LHs showed the highest content of flavonoids (357.88?mg RE/g d.w.) and phenolic acids (238.58?mg CAE/g d.w.) by HPLC. The ME-SHv showed the highest AA. All ME were strong antimutagens (63.3-85.7%). Only the Hs extracts were toxic (ME-LHs, LC₅₀?=?94.9?±?1.7?μg/mL; ME-SHs, LC₅₀?=?89.03?±?4.42?μg/mL).

Discussion and conclusions: Both Hv and Hs are potential sources of preventive and therapeutic agents against chronic-degenerative diseases.     

Podophyllum hexandrum ameliorates endosulfan-induced genotoxicity and mutagenicity in freshwater cyprinid fish crucian carp

Context: Medicinal plants continue to act as a repository for novel drug leads with novel mechanisms of action. Podophyllum hexandrum Royale (Berberideceae) treats diverse conditions in folk medicine.

Objective: The antimutagenic potential of P. hexandrum was evaluated against endosulfan-induced clastogenicity in a piscine model by cytogenetic endpoints.

Materials and methods: Podophyllum hexandrum rhizomes were subjected to successive solvent extraction. Fish were exposed to hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extracts (15?mg/L each) of plant and endosulfan (0.05?mg/L) alone followed by their combination for antimutagenicity estimates. Chromosomal aberrations (CA) were made from kidney cells and micronuclei (MN) slides from peripheral blood erythrocytes at 48, 72 and 96?h. Antioxidant activity was analyzed by the DPPH assay. Phytochemical analyses were carried out using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques.

Results: Endosulfan induced significant (p?R^2?=^?.900) with antimutagenic activity, whereas EE-F4 seemed to act through a different mechanism.

Discussion and conclusion: This study confirms the antimutagenic potential of the subject plant with the identification of some novel compounds, justifying their use in folk medicine, and their corresponding benefit to mankind.     

Plant-derived bioactive compounds produced by endophytic fungi

Plant endophytic fungi are an important and novel resource of natural bioactive compounds with their potential applications in agriculture, medicine and food industry. In the past two decades, many valuable bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, insecticidal, cytotoxic, and anticancer activities have been successfully discovered from endophytic fungi. During the long period of co-evolution, a friendly relationship was formed between each endophyte and its host plant. Some endophytes have the ability to produce the same or similar bioactive compounds as those originated from their host plants. This review mainly deals with the research progress on endophytic fungi for producing plant-derived bioactive compounds such as paclitaxel, podophyllotoxin, camptothecine, vinblastine, hypericin, and diosgenin. The relations between endophytic fungi and their host plants, biological activities and action mechanisms of these compounds from endophytic fungi, some available strategies for efficiently promoting production of these bioactive compounds, as well as their potential applications in the future will also be discussed. It is beneficial for us to better understand and take advantage of plant endophytic fungi.     

Endophytic fungi associated with Taxus fuana (West Himalayan Yew) of Pakistan: potential bio-resources for cancer chemopreventive agents

Context: Endophytic fungi, being a prolific source of bioactive secondary metabolites, are of great interest for natural product discovery.

Objective: Isolation and partial characterization of endophytic fungi inhabiting the leaves and woody parts of Taxus fuana Nan Li & R.R. Mill. (Taxaceae) and evaluation of biological activity.

Materials and methods: Endophytic fungal isolates were identified by molecular analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of 18S rDNA. Extracts of the endophytic fungi cultured on potato dextrose agar and modified medium were evaluated using cancer chemoprevention bioassays [inhibition of TNF-α-induced NFκB, aromatase and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS); induction of quinone reductase 1 (QR1)] and growth inhibition with MCF-7 cells.

Results: Nine of 15 fungal isolates were identified as belonging to Epicoccum, Mucor, Penicillium, Chaetomium, Paraconiothriym, Plectania or Trichoderma. Five of the 15 extracts inhibited NFκB activity (IC₅₀ values ranging between 0.18 and 17?μg/mL) and five inhibited iNOS (IC₅₀ values ranging between 0.32 and 12.9?μg/mL). In the aromatase assay, only two isolates mediated inhibition (IC₅₀ values 12.2 and 10.5?μg/mL). With QR1 induction, three extracts exhibited significant activity (concentrations to double activity values ranging between 0.20 and 5.5?μg/mL), and five extracts inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells (IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.56 to 17.5?μg/mL). Six active cultures were derived from woody parts of the plant material.

Conclusion: The endophytic fungi studied are capable of producing pharmacologically active natural compounds. In particular, isolates derived from the wood of Taxus fuana should be prioritized for the isolation and characterization of bioactive constituents.     

Endophytic bacteria from Pinellia ternata,a new source of purine alkaloids and bacterial manure

Abstract

Context: Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Berit., a perennial herb belonging to Araceae, is one of the few medicinal plants to produce purine alkaloids. It is speculated that endophytic bacteria from P. ternata may produce guanosine or inosine. However, there is no report about endophytic bacteria in P. ternata.

Objective: In this study, endophytic bacteria were isolated from P. ternata and examined for the first time. This study finds a novel way to increase the yield of P. ternata herb, and to provide some new alkaloid producers.

Materials and methods: Plant material includes leaves, tubers, and roots of cultivated and wild P. ternata. The dilutions were smeared onto beef extract-peptone medium and cultured at 28?°C in darkness for 48–72?h. Co-culture treatments were prepared by inoculating 100?mL liquid 1/2 MS medium with bacterial culture broth at concentrations of 0 (control), 0.5%, and 1.5% (v/v).

Results: Of the 34 endophytic bacterial colonies isolated from P. ternata leaves, roots, and tubers, five strains were able to produce purine alkaloids. Results from 16s rDNA sequence analysis indicated that the bacteria belonged to Bacillus cereus, Aranicola proteolyticus, Serratia liquefaciens, Bacillus thuringiensis, and Bacillus licheniformis. Co-culture with living Serratia liquefaciens cells increased PLB growth by 58–71%. Co-culture with living Bacillus licheniformis cells increased PLB growth by 4–11%.

Conclusion: This study provides a novel way for improving the yield of P. ternata herb, and for the production of purine alkaloids by the fermentation industry.     

Endophytic fungi associated with Monarda citriodora,an aromatic and medicinal plant and their biocontrol potential

Context: The Food and Agriculture Organization has estimated that every year considerable losses of the food crops occur due to plant diseases. Although fungicides are extensively used for management of plant diseases, they are expensive and hazardous to the environment and human health. Alternatively, biological control is the safe way to overcome the effects of plant diseases and to sustain agriculture. Since Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag. (Lamiaceae/Labiatae) is known for its antifungal properties, it was chosen for the study.

Objective: The isolation of endophytic fungi from M. citriodora and assessing their biocontrol potential.

Material and methods: The isolated endophytes were characterized using ITS-5.8?S rDNA sequencing. Their biocontrol potential was assessed using different antagonistic assays against major plant pathogens.

Results: Twenty-eight endophytes representing 11 genera were isolated, of which, around 82% endophytes showed biocontrol potential against plant pathogens. MC-2?L (Fusarium oxysporum), MC-14?F (F. oxysporum), MC-22?F (F. oxysporum) and MC-25?F (F. redolens) displayed significant antagonistic activity against all the tested pathogens. Interestingly, MC-10?L (Muscodor yucatanensis) completely inhibited the growth of Sclerotinia sp., Colletotrichum capsici, Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus in dual culture assay, whereas MC-8?L (A. oryzae) and MC-9?L (Penicillium commune) completely inhibited the growth of the Sclerotinia sp. in fumigation assay.

Conclusions: Endophytes MC-2?L, MC-14?F, MC-22?F and MC-25?F could effectively be used to control broad range of phytopathogens, while MC-10?L, MC-8?L and MC-9?L could be used to control specific pathogens. Secondly, endophytes showing varying degrees of antagonism in different assays represented the chemo-diversity not only as promising biocontrol agents but also as a resource of defensive and bioactive metabolites.     

Evaluation of cytotoxic activity of patriscabratine,tetracosane and various flavonoids isolated from the Bangladeshi medicinal plant Acrostichum aureum

Context: Acrostichum aureumL. (Pteridaceae), a mangrove fern, has been used as a Bangladeshi traditional medicine for a variety of diseases including peptic ulcer.

Objective: Isolation and structural elucidation of cytotoxic secondary metabolites from the methanol extract of the aerial parts of A. aureum.

Materials and methods: Compounds were isolated using HPLC. The compound structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, MS and other spectroscopic methods using published data. The compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity against healthy and cancer cells using the MTT assay. Active compounds were further evaluated for apoptosis–and necrosis-inducing potential against gastric cancer cells (AGS) using the FITC Annexin V apoptosis assay.

Results and discussion:Seven known compounds, patriscabratine, tetracosane and 5 flavonoids (quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucosyl-(6→1)-α-l-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnosyl-7-O-β-d-glucoside and kaempferol) were isolated. Patriscabratine was found moderately cytotoxic against AGS, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 69.8 to 197.3 μM. Tetracosane showed some cytotoxic activity against AGS, MDA-MB-231, HT-29 and NIH 3T3 cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 128.7 to >250 μM. Patriscabratine and tetracosane displayed an apoptotic effect (10%) on AGS cells within 24 h which was increased (20%) after 48 h, and was comparable to, if not greater, than the positive control, cycloheximide.

Conclusion:Except for quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucoside and kaempferol; compounds were isolated for the first time from this plant and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity. The results highlight the potential of this plant as a source of bioactive compounds and provide a rationale for its traditional use in peptic ulcer treatment.     

Antidiabetic components of Cassia alata leaves: Identification through α-glucosidase inhibition studies

Context: Cassia alata Linn. [syn. Senna alata (L.) Roxb.] (Caesalpiniaceae) is used for treating various disease conditions including diabetes but its mechanism(s) of action and active principles remain to be elucidated.

Objective: The antidiabetic principles were identified using an in vitro α-glucosidase inhibition study.

Materials and methods: The methanol extract of leaves of C. alata, which showed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀, 63.75?±?12.81 µg/ml), was fractionated. Active fractions were taken for further analysis by a variety of techniques including HPLC and Combiflash chromatography. The identity of the isolated compounds was established by spectroscopic analysis while their potential antidiabetic activity was assessed by in vitro enzyme inhibition studies.

Results: The α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of the crude extract was far better than the standard clinically used drug, acarbose (IC₅₀, 107.31?±?12.31 µg/ml). A subsequent fractionation of the crude extract was made using solvents of ascending polarity (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water). The ethyl acetate (IC₅₀, 2.95?±?0.47 µg/ml) and n-butanol (IC₅₀, 25.80?±?2.01 µg/ml) fractions which contained predominantly kaempferol (56.7?±?7.7 µM) and kaempferol 3-O-gentiobioside (50.0?±?8.5 µM), respectively, displayed the highest carbohydrate enzyme inhibitory effect.

Discussion: One of the possible antidiabetic mechanisms of action of C. alata is by inhibiting carbohydrate digestion. This is the first report on α-glucosidase activity of kaempferol 3-O-gentiobioside.

Conclusion: Considering the activity profile of the crude extract and isolated bioactive compounds, further in vivo and clinical studies on C. alata extracts and compounds are well merited.     

山荷叶中木脂素成分的研究

从陕西产山荷叶(Diphylleia sinensis Li.)根茎中分得9个木脂素和1个黄酮化合物,通过光谱分析证明化合物Ⅸ为新木脂素,即苦鬼臼素-1-乙基醚(picropodophyllin-1-ethyl ether),其它化合物分别为鬼臼毒素(podophyllotoxin,Ⅰ)、异苦鬼臼酮(isopicropodophyllone,Ⅱ)、去氢鬼臼毒素(dehydropodophyllotoxin,Ⅲ)、山荷叶素(diphyllin,Ⅳ)、苦鬼臼素(picropodophyllin,Ⅴ)、鬼臼酯酮(podophyllotoxone,Ⅵ)、4′-去甲基鬼臼毒素(4′-demethylpodophyllotoxin,Ⅶ)、苦鬼臼素葡萄糖甙(picropodophyllin slucoside,Ⅷ)和山奈酚(kaempferol,Ⅹ)。其中化合物Ⅱ,Ⅵ,Ⅶ和Ⅷ为首次从山荷叶属植物中分得。     

Influence of kaempferol,a flavonoid compound,on membrane-bound ATPases in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Context: Kaempferol is a flavonoid found in many edible plants (e.g. tea, cabbage, beans, tomato, strawberries, and grapes) and in plants or botanical products commonly used in traditional medicine. Numerous preclinical studies have shown that kaempferol have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and antidiabetic activities.

Objective: The present study investigates the effect of kaempferol on membrane-bound ATPases in erythrocytes and in liver, kidney, and heart of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods: Diabetes was induced into adult male albino rats of the Wistar strain, by intraperitoneal administration of STZ (40?mg/kg body weight (BW)). Kaempferol (100?mg/kg BW) or glibenclamide (600?µg/kg BW) was administered orally once daily for 45?d to normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats. The effects of kaempferol on membrane-bound ATPases (total ATPase, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, Ca²⁺-ATPase, and Mg²⁺-ATPase) activity in erythrocytes and in liver, kidney, and heart were determined.

Results: In our study, diabetic rats had significantly (p?<?0.05) decreased activities of total ATPases, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, Ca²⁺-ATPase, and Mg²⁺-ATPase in erythrocytes and tissues. Oral administration of kaempferol (100?mg/kg BW) or glibenclamide (600?µg/kg BW) for a period of 45?d resulted in significant (p?<?0.05) reversal of these enzymes' activities to near normal in erythrocytes and tissues when compared with diabetic control rats.

Discussion and conclusion: Thus, obtained results indicate that administration of kaempferol has the potential to restore deranged activity of membrane-bound ATPases in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Further detailed investigation is necessary to discover kaempferol’s action mechanism.     

Antidiabetic effects of natural plant extracts via inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolysis enzymes with emphasis on pancreatic alpha amylase

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the negative clinical outcomes observed with the commercially available anti-diabetic drugs have led to the investigation of new therapeutic approaches focused on controlling postprandrial glucose levels. The use of carbohydrate digestive enzyme inhibitors from natural resources could be a possible strategy to block dietary carbohydrate absorption with less adverse effects than synthetic drugs.

Areas covered: This review covers the latest evidence regarding in vitro and in vivo studies in relation to pancreatic alpha-amylase inhibitors of plant origin, and presents bioactive compounds of phenolic nature that exhibit anti-amylase activity.

Expert opinion: Pancreatic alpha-amylase inhibitors from traditional plant extracts are a promising tool for diabetes treatment. Many studies have confirmed the alpha-amylase inhibitory activity of plants and their bioactive compounds in vitro, but few studies corroborate these findings in rodents and very few in humans. Thus, despite some encouraging results, more research is required for developing a valuable anti-diabetic therapy using pancreatic alpha-amylase inhibitors of plant origin.