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Investigations into the Antidiabetic Activities of Bitter Kola
Author(s) -
Obih Patience,
Ambush Evelyn,
Jimoh Akeem,
Ezebuenyi Michael
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.lb480
Subject(s) - acarbose , chemistry , traditional medicine , alpha glucosidase , postprandial , anacardium , pharmacology , positive control , drug , mechanism of action , in vitro , diabetes mellitus , enzyme , biochemistry , medicine , biology , endocrinology , horticulture
In search of antidiabetic agents with tolerable or no side effects, researchers are investigating medicinal plants for antidiabetic activities. Acarbose and miglitol are standard drugs in the market used to reduce postprandial glucose surge, they possess some side effects. Their mechanism of action involves competitive inhibition of intestinal alpha‐glucosidases. Bitter kola is used in some parts of West Africa as an oral agent for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus. Its mechanism of action has not been elucidated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the inhibitory alpha‐glucosidase activities of aqueous extracts of Bitter Kola in vitro. The aqueous extract was prepared by soaking 100g of Bitter Kola powder in 200 ml of deinonized water for 48 hours at 4 0 C. The extract was filtered, evaporated with rotavapor, and lyophilized. The extract was then used in in vitro assay to inhibit alpha‐glucosidase. The extract was compared with acarbose, a standard antidiabetic agent that inhibits alpha‐glucosidase. The result shows that Bitter Kola inhibits alpha‐glucosidase and compares favorably with acarbose, a positive control that is already in the market. Bitter kola will be further examined by characterization, isolation, purification, and enzyme assays in order to display its maximal potential.