-Glucosidase, frequently located on the surface of the brush
border
of the intestinal cells, is crucial for the digestion of oligosaccharides
to monosaccharides which are absorbed easily by the
intestine
[10]. Inhibitors of -glucosidase could delay the digestion
of ingested carbohydrates, thus leading to the suppression of
postprandial
glucose [11]. Hence, these inhibitors are promising
as
therapeutic agents for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
[12]. However, the inhibition of the current -glucosidase such
as
Acarbose and miglitol is not satisfactory and prolonged use
often
causes harmful side effects, including diarrhea [13], pain and
intestinal
flatulence [14]. Therefore, the search for new natural
extracts
and compounds inhibitors of -glucosidase proves to be
necessary.
The
Scabiosa genus belonging to the Dipsacaceae family, contains
in Tunisia eleven recently identified species which are:
Scabiosa
rutifolia Vahl., S. succisa L., S. farinosa Coss., S. atropurpurea
L.,
S. arenaria Forssk., S. stellata L., S. crenata Cyr., S. daucoides Desf.,
S.
robertii Bonn and S. simplex Desf. [15].