Antidiabetic potential of methanol extracts from leaves of Piper umbellatum L. and Persea americana Mill.

Objective: To determine inhibitory activity of methanolic leaf extract of Piper umbellatum and Persea americana(P. americana)(traditionally used in Cameroon against diabetes) on β-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, maltase-glucoamylase, aldose reductase and aldehyde reductase activities, enzymes involved in starch digestion or diabetic complications. Methods: The methanol extracts from Piper umbellatum and P. americana were prepared by maceration. To assess relative efficacy of these extracts, the determination of concentrations that were needed to inhibit 50% of enzyme activity was done, whereas, gas chromatography-mass spectrum was used to identify components from extracts that may be responsible for the activities. Results:The tested extracts strongly inhibited β-glucosidase, maltase-glucoamylase, aldose reductase and aldehyde reductase activities with IC50 ranging from(1.07 ± 0.03) to(31.77 ± 1.17) μg/mL.Among the tested extracts, P. americana was the most active against sensitive enzymes(IC50 of1.07 ± 0.03 to 15.63 ± 1.23). But, none of the extracts showed interesting inhibitory effect against β-glucosidase as their percentage inhibitions were less than 16%. From gas chromatographymass spectrum analysis, 10 and 8 compounds were identified in Piper umbellatum and P.americana extracts respectively, using NIST library 2014. Conclusions: Results of this study provide the scientific credential for a prospective usage of these plants to treat diabetes.