Antioxidant, antiglycation and inhibitory potential of Saraca ashoka flowers against the enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes and LDL oxidation.

OBJECTIVE The present study investigated the antioxidant, antiglycation and inhibitory potential of flavonoid fraction of Saraca ashoka flowers (SAF) against alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase (the enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes) and LDL oxidation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Antioxidant capacity of SAF was evaluated by estimating total antioxidant activity (TAA) and its protective effects against the oxidative stress induced by H2O2 on C2C12 cells. Cytotoxicity by MTT assay and markers of oxidative stress: reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. RESULTS Pre-treatment of C2C12 cells with SAF prevented the increased formation of MDA and depletion of GSH induced by H2O2. The increased ROS generation induced by H2O2 was also reduced by a pretreatment with SAF. Significant inhibitory potential against alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzymes revealed the therapeutic potential of SAF as an antihyperglycemic agent. SAF also demonstrated potent antiglycation property and inhibited LDL oxidation under in vitro conditions. CONCLUSIONS The overall results demonstrate that SAF can be used as an ideal natural remedy for preventing oxidative stress and other complications associated with diabetes.