In-vitro Anti-oxidant and Anti-diabetic activities of Trianthema portulacastrum L. leaves

This study aimed to investigate the hypoglycaemic effects of Trianthema portulacastrum L.,

leaves and its in-vitro potential. The study involved DPPH radical scavenging and assay inhibition,

α-amylase and α-glucosidase to evaluate in-vitro anti-oxidant and antidiabetic properties. The dried

plant material was extracted with solvents of varying polarity (Petroleum ether, Ethyl acetate and

Ethanol) using Soxhlet’s apparatus, while aqueous extraction was done by decoction. Phytochemical

study revealed major chemical components in petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water

extracts. Ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of phenols and flavonoids, but lacked alkaloids.

Antioxidant action of extracts was evaluated using DPPH assay. For the ethyl acetate extract of

Trianthema portulacastrum leaves, the IC50 value was 147.65 µg/ml for DPPH respectively. Among

the extracts, ethyl acetate extract exhibited significant activity compared to petroleum ether, ethanol

and aqueous extracts. Inhibition of two major enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase, is the most

important treatment of Diabetes mellitus. Polysaccharides and saccharides are the major component

of the human diet and α-amylase and α-glucosidase are involved in their digestion. These saccharides

are first broken down into oligosaccharides by α-amylase and then α-glucosidase covert them into

simpler sugar molecules (monosaccharides). The inhibition of the digestive enzymes involved in

polysaccharide breakdown significantly reduces the blood sugar level. The anti-diabetic activity of T.

portulacastrum against α amylase and α glucosidase inhibition assay showed concentration

dependent inhibition (%). The ethyl acetate extract exhibited dose-dependent inhibitory effects on α-

amylase and α-glucosidase, likely due to flavonoids and/or phenolic compounds and their free radical

scavenging properties. The ethyl acetate extract of Trianthema portulacastrum showed promising

antidiabetic activity.