Research Articles

2021  |  Vol: 6(6)  |  Issue: 6 (November-December) | https://doi.org/10.31024/apj.2021.6.6.2

In vivo inhibitory activities of husk extract and fractions of Zea mays on alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase

Jude E. Okokon^1*, Godwin Enin², Mandu E. Nyong¹, Blessing C. Anyanwu², Godswill F. Dick²

¹Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

²Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

*Address for Corresponding Author

Jude E. Okokon

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

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Abstra​ct

Objective: Zea mays husk is used in Ibibio traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments including diabetes mellitus, malaria and ulcer. Aim of present study was to investigate inhibitory activities of husk extract and fractions of Zea mays on alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase. Material and methods: The husk extract (187-561 mg/kg) and fractions (n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol,374 mg/kg) of Zea mays were evaluated in rats for inhibitory effect on alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes using starch, sucrose and maltose as substrates. Acarbose was used as referenced drug. Results: The husk extract caused significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose levels of treated rats though non dose-dependently with the various substrates used. The methanol fraction followed by ethyl acetate fraction exerted the highest inhibitory effect when starch and sucrose were used as substrates, while DCM fraction was the most active fraction when maltose was used as substrate. Conclusion: The results suggest that the husk and fractions of Z. Mays have the potentials to inhibit alpha amylase and glucosidase in rats.

Keywords: Zea mays, hypoglycaemia, alpha amylase, alpha glucosidase