Journal Article

In Vitro Antidiabetic Potentials of Methanol Leaf Extract of Thaumatococcus daniellii (Miracle Berry)

Abdullahi, S.U., Abubakar, Y. G., Akanya, H.O., Abubakar, N.S., Saidu, N.A. and Ahmad, A.

Abstract

Plants with antioxidant properties have been found useful in the management of diabetes. The plant Thaumatococcus danielli has been used locally in its management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antidiabetic potentials of methanol leaf extract of Thaumatococcus danielli. The methanol extract of the leaf was obtained and subjected to phytochemical screening. The inhibitory activity of the extract on carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and its effect on glucose uptake by yeast cells were determined. The extract was found to contain alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and phenols. However, it possesses low inhibitory activity on α-amylase (16 %) and α-glucosidase (32 %) but increase glucose uptake by yeast cells at 5 mM (86 %), 10 mM (84 %) and 25 mM (72 %) glucose concentration. The methanol leaf extract of Thaumatococcus danielli probably exerts its effect on diabetes through enhancement of glucose uptake.

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