title: Inhibition of alpha-glucosidase and amylase by luteolin, a flavonoid.
abstract: Twenty-one naturally occurring flavonoids were tested for inhibitory activities against alpha-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) and alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1). Luteolin, amentoflavone, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, and daidzein were the strongest inhibitors among the compounds tested. Luteolin inhibited alpha-glucosidase by 36% at the concentration of 0.5 mg/ml and was stronger than acarbose, the most widely prescribed drug, in inhibitory potency, suggesting that it has the possibility to effectively suppress postprandial hyperglycemia in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Luteolin also inhibited alpha-amylase effectively although it was less potent than acarbose. The clinical value of luteolin needs to be further evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Taegu, Korea. vision@knu.ac.kr
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Son
mesh_terms: D000681:Amylases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D044946:Biflavonoids; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005960:Glucosides / Q000494:pharmacology; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology; D047311:Luteolin; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D044946:Biflavonoids; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005419:Flavonoids; D005960:Glucosides; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D007529:Isoflavones; C004742:daidzein; C066408:luteolin-7-glucoside; C011164:amentoflavone; D000681:Amylases; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases; D047311:Luteolin