The inhibitory effect of α-amylase enzyme from fraction and isolate of mareme leaves (Glochidion arborescens Blume.)

Abstract

Mareme leaves (Glochidion arborescens Blume) is a plant that has potential as an antidiabetic agent. A previous study reported that ethanol extract of Mareme leaves exhibits active inhibitory activities of α-amylase enzyme. This study aimed to determine the α-amylase enzyme inhibitory activities of fraction and isolate from Mareme leaves. The ethanol extract of Mareme leaves was fractionated by using vacuum liquid chromatography. Then, it was isolated and purified using a chromatotron, a radial chromatographic method. The fraction and isolate were assayed for α-amylase enzyme inhibitory activities. The result indicated that Mareme leaves could inhibit an active α-amylase enzyme inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 28.262 ppm. Mareme leaves isolate has a very active inhibition (IC50 value = 21.024 ppm) comparable with acarbose, a positive control (IC50 value = 19.486 ppm). In addition, the statistical analysis using the t-test also resulted in a significant difference in average inhibition of α-amylase enzyme between fraction and isolate of Mareme leaves. The study concludes that the fraction and isolate of Mareme leaves are potential inhibitors of α-amylase enzyme in reducing calorie intake. As such, this plant extract has been proven that it could be a potential antidiabetic or anti-obesity agent to prevent or treat chronic diseases.