IN VITRO EFFECT OF TERPENOIDS - RICH EXTRACT OF Momordica charantia ON ALPHA GLUCOSIDASE ACTIVITY

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Terpenoid-rich extract from Momordica charantia on α-glucosidase activity. Method: The inhibitory effect of the Terpenoid-rich extract from Momordica charantia on the activity of alpha glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well as determination of mode of inhibition were investigated using in vitro assay methods. Results: The results revealed that the terpenoid-rich extract had a high IC 50 of 1.60 mg/ml. The Lineweaver-Burk plot revealed that the extract exhibited partial mixed–type inhibition of α-glucosidase. Conclusion: It can be inferred from this study that although terpenoid-rich extract inhibited alpha glucosidase, further purification will be necessary on the extract so as to increase its potency as an inhibitor of alpha glucosidase. The action of the extract on alpha glucosidase provided an insight into the probable mechanism of action of Momordica charantia in reducing hyperglycemia.