Studying the α-glucosidase inhibition activity of Tribulus terrestris L. leaves and fruits extracts

Abstract

Tribulus terrestris L. leaves and fruits were extracted by means of ultrasonication using solvents of increasing polarity: hexane, acetone, ethanol, and water. The in vitro anti-diabetic activity of different concentrations of these extracts was evaluated by studying their inhibition activity against α-glucosidase enzyme, in addition to study the inhibition mode for the most effective extract. All extracts showed varying inhibition activity against α-glucosidase, The higher inhibition activity was observed in the non-polar or low polar extracts (hexane and acetone). The hexane extract of fruits had the highest inhibition activity IC₅₀=27.28μg/ml, and the inhibition mode was noncompetitive.