Abstract
BACKGROUND: There has been enormous curiosity in the development of alternative plant based medicines to control diabetes, oxidative stress and related disorders. One of the therapeutic approaches is to reduce postprandial release of glucose in the blood. Two key enzymes that are involved in reducing postprandial glucose are α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Mentha arvensis L. has been traditionally used by several tribes as a medicinal plant to treat various disorders. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to test M. arvenisis L. for inhibition of postprandial hyperglycemia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed various in vitro and in vivo tests to evaluate efficacy of M. arvenisis L. for antidiabetic activity (postprandial hyperglycemia). RESULTS: Methanolic extract of M. arvensis L. leaves showed DPPH free radical scavenging activity (more than 78% μg/μl) and high antiglycation potential (more than 90% inhibition of AGE formation). Methanolic extract also showed remarkable inhibitory effects on α-amylase (more than 50% μg/μl) and α-glucosidase (68% μg/μl) and significant inhibition of postprandial hyperglycemia in starch induced diabetic Wistar rats. CONCLUSION: The non-insulin dependent antidiabetic or inhibition of postprandial hyperglycemic activity of methanolic extract of M. arvensis L. leaves was shown by using in vitro and in vivo approaches in the present study.