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

α-Amylase and β-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 α-amylase resulting in abnormal bacterial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates in the colon. Natural inhibitors from plants have shown lower inhibitory effect against α-amylase activity and a stronger inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and can be used as effective therapy for NIDDM with minimal side effects. In this work dates-extract (DE) inhibitory effect on α-amylase and α-glucosidase has been assessed. The inhibition percentages on α-amylase and α-glucosidase were in the range of 6-24% and 54%, respectively. The results clearly show the NIDDM treatment potential of DE. Keywords: Diabetes, dates-extract, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, enzyme inhibition Received: 4 April 2010 / Received in revised form: 9 June 2010, Accepted: 9 June 2010, Published online: 7 July 2010