title: Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities by ethanolic extract of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) leaf.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the inhibitory effect of Telfairia occidentalis Hook f. (Curcubitaceae) (T. occidentalis) leaf on key enzyme linked to type-2 diabetes (α - amylase and α - glucosidase) as well as assess the effect of blanching (a commonly practiced food processing technique) of the vegetable on these key enzymes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fresh leaves of T. occidentalis were blanched in hot water for 10 minutes, and the extracts of both the fresh and blanched vegetables were prepared and used for subsequent analysis. The inhibitory effect of the extract on α - amylase and α - glucosidase activities as well as some antioxidant parameter was determined in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The result revealed that unprocessed T. occidentalis leaf reduce Fe(3+) to Fe(2+) and also inhibited α - amylase and α - glucosidase activities in a dose dependent manner. However, blanching of the leafy vegetables caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in the antioxidant properties but decrease their ability to inhibit α - amylase and α - glucosidase activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This antioxidant properties and enzyme inhibition could be part of the mechanism by which they are used in the treatment/prevention of type-2 diabetes. However, the blanched vegetable reduces their ability to inhibit both α - amylase and α - glucosidase activity in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry,Federal University of Technology, Akure, NigeriaP.M.B., 704, Akure 340001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oboh
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Akinyemi
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Ademiluyi
mesh_terms: D028464:Cucurbita / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000516:alpha-Amylases; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases
keywords: Antioxidants; Blanching; Telfairia occidentalis; Vegetables; α – amylase; α – glucosidase