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Background  Some  Ficus  species have been used in traditional African medicine in the treatment of diabetes. The antidiabetic potential of certain species has been confirmed  in vivo  but the mechanism of activity remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine the activity and to investigate the mechanism of antidiabetic activity of ten selected  Ficus  species through inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity, and the possible relationship between these activities, the total polyphenolic content and the antioxidant activity.    Methods  Dried acetone leaf extracts were reconstituted with appropriate solvents and used to determine total polyphenolic content antioxidant activity, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.    Results  The crude acetone extract of  F. lutea  had the highest polyphenolic content (56.85 ± 1.82 mg GAE/g of dry material) and the strongest antioxidant activity with a TEAC value of 4.80 ± 0.90. The antioxidant activity of the acetone extracts of the  Ficus  species may not be ascribed to total polyphenolic content alone. The crude extract at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml of  F. lutea  (64.3 ± 3.6%) had the best α-glucosidase (sucrase) inhibitory activity. The EC50 of  F. lutea  (290 ± 111 μg/ml) was not significantly different from that of  F .  sycomorus  (217 ± 69 μg/ml). The α-amylase inhibitory activity of  F. lutea  (95.4 ± 1.2%) at a concentration of 1 mg/ml was the highest among the  Ficus  species screened. The EC50 for  F. lutea  (9.42 ± 2.01 μ g/ml), though the highest, was not significantly different ( p  < 0.05) from that of  F. craterostoma  and  F. natalensis . It was apparent that the crude acetone extract of  F. lutea  is a partially non-competitive inhibitor of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Based on correlation coefficients polyphenolics may be responsible for α-glucosidase activity but probably not for α-amylase activity.    Conclusion  Antidiabetic activity potential via inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase was discovered in  Ficus lutea  which has not been previously reported. The acetone extract of the leaves was high in total polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity, and was a potent inhibitor of α-amylase activity. Research is underway to isolate the active compound(s) responsible for the antidiabetic activity and to confirm the  in vitro  antidiabetic activity and to investigate  in vitro  toxicity.

bmc complementary and alternative medicine

Evaluation of the inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes, antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content of extracts of ten African Ficus species (Moraceae) used traditionally to treat diabetes