In-vitro α-glucosidase inhibition and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Centaurea calcitrapa from Iraq

Abstract

Centaurea calcitrapa (Family-Asteraceae), commonly known as ‘Red star thistle, is a Turkish endemic species. The genus Centaurea comprises of about 500 species, many of which have been used as traditional medicines. The number of people in the world with diabetes has increased dramatically over the recent years. The treatment of type II diabetes is complicated by several risk factors inherent to the disease. Elevated postprandial hyperglycemia (PPHG) is one of the risk factors. One important approach for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus is by decreasing the postprandial hyperglycemia. This is possible by inhibiting certain carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme like α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The objective of present study was to evaluate in-vitro antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of aerial parts of methanolic extract of C. calcitrapa. The extract showed strong α-glucosidase inhibition and antioxidant (DPPH scavenging) activity with IC50 4.38±0.31 mg/ml and 49.98±3.78 μg/ml, respectively. These results suggest the possible use of C. calcitrapa in the management of diabetes mellitus.