The α-glucosidase inhibitors delay the absorption
of ingested carbohydrates, reducing the postprandial
glycemia and insulin peaks (De Melo & Carvalho
2006). In the present study, we demonstrated that extract
and fractions of M. x paradisiaca leaves reduced the
maltase activity. A number of plants are known to exert
antihyperglycemic activity through the inhibition of
carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes in the small intestine.
The polyphenols in plants play an important role in the
mechanism for regulating these disaccharidases. Andrade-
Cetto et al. (2008) reported that flavonoid-enriched
extracts from some Mexican plants efficiently inhibited
α-glucosidase activity and significantly reduced serum-
glucose levels in diabetic rats. More recently, the effect
of different flavonoids, including rutin, on rat intestinal
disaccharidase inhibition with a consequent reduction
in the intestinal glucose absorption has been described
(Pereira et al., 2011).
In conclusion, we showed that the crude
extract, n-butanol and aqueous residual fractions of M.
x paradisiaca leaves exhibit potential antihyperglycemic
action. The reduction on serum glucose levels, stimulation
of insulin secretion, stimulation of glycogen storage, and
inhibition of enzyme activity related to glucose absorption
and AGE formation corroborates the beneficial effects on
the regulation of glucose homeostasis observed for M. x
paradisiaca leaves. In addition, M. x paradisiaca leaves
that in general there is no commercial interest can provide
an excellent source of rutin, which is a candidate for the
development of anti-diabetic drugs in the near future.