Abu Onoagbe* and Osemwenoyenmwen
Background: Dialium guineense belongs to the Leguminosae family, and grows in dense forests in Africa along the southern edge of the Sahel. The bark, leaves and fruits of the plant have medicinal properties and are used to treat diseases such as stomatitis, toothache, fever, diarrhoea, palpitations, and microbial infections.
Aim: The present study investigated the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of isolated total saponins and tannins of Dialium guineense stem bark.
Methods: Total saponins and tannins were isolated from D. guineense stem bark using standard method. Alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory activities of the extracts were determined in vitro. Acarbose was used as the reference drug.
Results: The results showed that both extracts of Dialium guineense possess α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. The total tannins showed better α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities when compared with the total saponins extract (p < 0.05). The enzyme activities of the extracts were concentration-dependent, and comparable to those of acarbose.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that Dialium guineense shows great potential in the treatment of Diabetes mellitus.
