Two culinary anti-hyperlipidemic herbs, Phyllanthus emblica fruits and Alpinia galanga rhizomes, were evaluated for inhibition of alpha-glucosidase and lipase activities. The activities were determined using 4-nitrophenol-α-D-glucopyranoside [1] and 4-methylumbelliferone oleate [2] as substrates for α-glucosidase and lipase, respectively. The ethanolic extracts of P. emblica and A. galanga exhibited stronger anti-α-glucosidase activities than acarbose (IC50 of 168.380±1.227 μg/mL), a positive control, with IC50 values of 0.333±0.001 and 14.059±0.187 μg/mL, respectively. Regarding anti-lipase activity, A. galanga ethanolic extract (IC50 of 35.654±0.656 μg/mL) showed stronger activity than P. emblica ethanolic extract (IC50 of 119.367±2.075 μg/mL); however, these extracts were much less active than the drug orlistat (IC50 of 0.007±0.000 μg/mL). These results suggest that ingestion of P. emblica fruits and A. galanga rhizomes is beneficial for anti-diabetes and anti-hyperlipidemia.
References:
[1] Limpanit R, Chuanasa T, Likhitwitayawuid K, Jongbunprasert, V, Sritularak, B. Rec Nat Prod 2016; 10: 609-616.
[2] Duangjai A, Ingkaninan K, Limpeanchob N. Nat Prod Res 2011; 25: 341-352.