Artocarpus Altilis – Mode of Anti-hyperglycemic Activity: Elucidation by Suitable In-vitro and Ex-vivo Techniques

Medicinal plants have been reported to play an important role in modulating glycemic responses. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the anti-diabetic effect of medicinal plants such as inhibition of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes, manipulation of glucose transporters, βcell regeneration and enhancing insulin releasing activity. In the present study, the hypoglycemic potential of Artocarpus altilis leaves (AL), bark (AB) and fruit (AF) parts were investigated using suitable in-vitro and exvivo techniques such as glucose adsorption, glucose diffusion retardation index (GDRI), inhibition of enteric enzymes  αamylase, αglucosidase, sucrase and effect of selected samples on glucose uptake using yeast cell as model system. The cold and hot aqueous extracts of AB significantly (P ≤ 0.05) inhibited the activity of all the three enzymes followed by AL and AF, while ALP and ABP enhanced the activity of αglucosidase. ALP enhanced the glucose uptake by yeast cells significantly (P ≤ 0.05) followed by ABP and AFP, which was dependent on glucose concentration. The results suggest that the possible mode of action of Artocarus altilis as hypoglycemic agent is by glucose adsorption, inhibiting carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes and by facilitating the glucose diffusion through cell membrane. Hence, there is further scope to explore Artocarpus altilis as a therapeutic agent in the management of type II diabetes. INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of multiple etiology characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting in decreased insulin action/sensitivity or decreased insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells 1 . The management of diabetes without any side effects is still a challenge to the medical system because the therapies available currently for diabetes include insulin and various oral anti-diabetic agents which are associated with many adverse effects.