Evaluation of Alpha-amylase and Alpha-glucosidase Activities of Brahmi Nei: An In-vitro Study
Shalini S *
Department of PG Pothu Maruthuvam, Government Siddha Medical College, Chennai-106, India.
Rakshana N
Department of PG Pothu Maruthuvam, Government Siddha Medical College, Chennai-106, India.
Menaka R
Department of PG Pothu Maruthuvam, Government Siddha Medical College, Chennai-106, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes break down carbohydrates, leading to spikes in postprandial glucose levels in diabetic patients. Suppression of these enzyme activities helps regulate blood glucose levels and lower the risk of diabetes complications. Brahmi together with Ghee helps to regulate postprandial hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients. In this study, Brahmi Nei (BN) evaluated their ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities in-vitro. The ability of BN to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities was measured by the Spectrophotometric method, which involves measuring the changes in light absorption to quantify the enzyme inhibition. BN exhibited α-glucosidase with a maximum inhibition of about 53.56±0.55% and α-amylase exhibited about 49.80±0.84% then corresponding IC 50 values of α-glucosidase and α-amylase are 421.67 μg/mL and 482.87μg/mL. This study shows that the Siddha medicine Brahmi Nei (BN) can inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities in in-vitro, suggesting its potential anti-diabetic properties.
Keywords: Brahmi nei, Siddha, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, anti-diabetic