Antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of nine medicinal and aromatic plants extracts: Inhibition of key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes

Hülya Şen Arslan*, Mustafa Çam

Volume 28, Issue 1;
Pages: 27-34; 2022
ISSN: 2069-0053 (print) (former ISSN: 1453-1399), Agroprint;
ISSN (online): 2068-9551

The study aimed to determine enzyme inhibitory activities and bioactive features of the methanol extracts of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), spearmint (Mentha spicata L.), yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), yellow cantoron (Hypericum perforatum L.),  thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and echinacea (Echinacea spp.). The methanol extraction was carried at 40 °C for 2 h. The inhibitory activities of plant extracts on antioxidant and α-glucosidase, α-amylase and lipase enzymes were determined. The antioxidant activities of these extracts were determined by the methods of DPPH, ABTS and β-carotene-bleaching test (βC). The results showed that peppermint significantly (p<0.05) inhibited the activity of α-glucosidase (IC₅₀: 1.18 ± 1.079 mg/mL) and DPPH free radical scavenging activity (EC₅₀: 2.36 ± 0.3). Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the extracts were between 3.06-31.13 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) and 0.58-4.39 µg catechin equivalents (CE) per g of plant, respectively. It concluded that all the plant materials used in the study had inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase.