In-vitro Alpha-amylase and Alpha-glucosidase activity of Costus pictus D. Don and Costus speciosus (J. Koenig) Sm.

Abstract

Plants continue to be the source of all wealth. Living beings of the planet are blessed with a large number of plant with medical values, According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 4 billion people, accounting roughly, 66.6 percent of the world’s population use the medicinal plants as curative agents. Though the plants serve humans to maintain their well being the investigation of the medicinal values of herbs to combat various ailments became obligatory. Hence, there is an urgent need for constant screening of herbal drugs for better and effective utilization. Diabetes medically known as Diabetic Mellitus is a metabolic disorder marked by high blood sugar level over a prolonged period. It accounts for 42% of deaths in India. The enzyme α-amylase and α-glucosidase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch and sugar plays a vital role in the metabolic disorder, Diabetic Mellitus. Costus pictus and Costus speciosus exhibits antidiabetic activity. The present work is carried out to analyse the effect of inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes by Costus pictus and Costus speciosus. Costus pictus leaf and rhizome extract showed inhibitory activity against both the enzymes. Similar such results were also observed in the leaf and rhizome of Costus speciosus.