in vitro Antidiabetic Properties of the Fruits and Leaves of Terminalia bellirica

Abstract

Terminalia bellirica is a traditionally used medicinal plant claimed to possess antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activity. The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro antidiabetic activity of the fruits and leaves of Terminalia bellirica. The in vitro alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase activity of different extracts of Terminalia bellirica was also determined. From the results, it is clear that the acetone extract of both the fruits and leaves of             Terminalia bellirica shows strong inhibitory activity against alpha amylase and the aqueous extract of fruits and leaves of Terminalia bellirica were found to exhibit highest alpha glucosidase activity. The results obtained in the present study indicated that the Terminalia bellirica could be used for treating diabetes mellitus.

Key words: Terminalia bellirica, antidiabetic, alpha amylase, alpha glucosidase.