Inhibitory effect of dates-extract on alpha-Amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes relevant to non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

alpha-Amylase and alpha-glucosidase are key enzymes involved in carbohydrates breakdown and intestinal absorption, respectively. Inhibition of these enzymes hinders blood glucose level increase after a carbohydrate diet and can be an important strategy in the management of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(NIDDM). A main drawback of currently used inhibitors is their side effects such as abdominal distention, flatulence, meteorism and diarrhea, caused by excessive inhibition of pancreatic alpha-amylase resulting in abnormal bacterial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates in the colon. Natural inhibitors from plants have shown lower inhibitory effect against alpha- amylase activity and a stronger inhibitory activity against a- glucosidase and can be used as effective therapy for NIDDM with minimal side effects. In this work dates-extract ( DE) inhibitory effect on a- amylase and a- glucosidase has been assessed. The inhibition percentages on a- amylase and a- glucosidase were in the range of 6-24% and 54%, respectively. The results clearly show the NIDDM treatment potential of DE.