PHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE IN VITRO ANTI-DIABETIC POTENTIAL OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF GARCINIA INTERMEDIA (PITTIER) HAMMEL LEAVES

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia and metabolic derangements affecting carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism with impaired insulin production or insulin resistance. The present study aims to evaluate the in vitro antidiabetic potential of hydroalcoholic extract of Garcinia intermedia (Pittier) Hammel leaves. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of G. intermedia leaves was carried out to identify the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. Total phenolic and flavonoid content and DPPH assay were carried out to determine the free radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity. The effect of plant extract on carbohydrate absorption was evaluated by in vitro α-glucosidase, α-amylase enzymes, and glucose uptake assay using L6 cell lines. A significant dose-dependent inhibition of α-glucosidase activity was exhibited by the plant extract at an inhibition rate of 79.78% at a concentration of 100 μg/ml. The plant extract inhibited the activity of α-amylase by 57.60%, observed at a concentration of 100 μg/ml. At the highest concentration, 100 μg/ml the plant extract caused 64.92% glucose uptake over the control, using L6 myoblast cells. Findings from this study support the in vitro antidiabetic potential of G. intermedia leaves in the management of diabetes mellitus. Further research on the preparation and mechanism of action of G. intermedia in diabetes management is recommended.