In Vitro α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Assays of Momordica Charantia Fruit Crude Extracts

Lau, Kelvin E-How (2016) In Vitro α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Assays of Momordica Charantia Fruit Crude Extracts. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

Text Project-(Kelvin Lau E- How).pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (1MB)

Abstract

The pharmacology and biological studies of bitter melon in Malaysia are still lacking and limited. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to investigate the anti-diabetic potential of Indian variety Momordica charantia fruit extracts in vitro. The current study evaluated the hypoglycaemic effects of Momordica charantia fruit through in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory assay using ethanolic extracts of fresh, sun-dried and shade-dried Momordica charantia fruit. Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed on the fruit extracts of Momordica charantia. Bernfeld’s method was used for the α-amylase inhibitory assay in which the fruits hypoglycaemic potentials were investigated by reacting different concentrations of the fruit extracts with α-amylase and starch. Kim’s method of α-glucosidase inhibitory assay was used with different concentrations of the fruit extracts to react with α-glucosidase and p-nitrophenylglucopyranoside (pNPG). The total inhibitory activity in each assay was expressed as IC50. The fresh ethanolic Momordica charantia fruit extract exhibited the most effective inhibition in both α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities where only 4.21 ± 0.11 and 4.96 ± 0.11 mg/ mL were needed respectively to achieve IC50. Besides, there was no significant difference of inhibitory effects between the control and fresh extract, as well as between sun-dried and shade-dried extracts in α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. However, fresh extract exerted significant effect of inhibiting α-glucosidase compared to the rest of the extracts. The boiling extract showed poorer inhibitory effects in both in vitro inhibitory assays. The results of phytochemical analysis of all the extracts revealed the presence of saponins, flavanoids, tannins, terpenoids, and alkaloids. In conclusion, the observed inhibitions of the fruit extracts in in vitro studies suggest that Momordica charantia fruit could act as a supplemental dietary to alleviate diabetes mellitus and may be a useful natural remedy in managing the conditions.