In vitro Alpha- Amylase and Alpha- Glucosidase Inhibitory Effects of the Methanolic Leaf Extract of Ficus abutilifolia

Abstract

Aim: To investigate α –amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects of the methanolic leaf extract of Ficus abutilifolia In vitro. Study Design: The leaf extract was fractionated using Thin Layer Chromatography. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, between July 2024 and November 2024. Methodology: The fractions of the leaf extract were evaluated for the presence of phytochemicals. The fractions were subjected to α –amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays. Different functional groups of bioactive compounds present in the fractions were identified using FT-IR spectroscopy. Results: Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, and cardiac glycosides. Quantification of the phytochemicals showed total alkaloids of (43.556 ± 7.154 mg AE/g), total saponins of (50.857 ± 0.584 mg DE/g), total flavonoids of (36.927± 0.554 mg RE/g) total phenols of (98.419± 9.548 GAE/g), and total cardiac glycosides of (0.540 ± 0.010 %). All the fractions displayed significant inhibitory activities against α –amylase and α-glucosidase. However, Fraction 1 had inhibited α- amylase and α-glucosidase higher than other fractions with IC50 values (36.233 ± 3.223 μg/mL and 121.265 ± 6.348 μg/mL) respectively, though significantly (p< 0.05) lower than acarbose (11.688 ± 3.205 μg/mL and 82.046 ± 3.571 μg/mL). Fraction 3 showed weak inhibitory activity on both enzymes (72.023 ± 5.400 μg/mL and 145.963 ± 4.400 μg/mL). FT-IR analysis of the fractions revealed the presence of different functional groups such as alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, phenols/alcohols, aldehydes, alkyl halides, aliphatic and aromatic amines. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the methanolic leaf extract of Ficus abutilifolia possesses in vitro α –amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects which could be useful in management of postprandial hyperglycemia.