α-D-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of polysaccharide isolated from Acacia tortilis gum exudate

The study aims to explore the antihyperglycemic activity of Acacia tortilis polysaccharide isolated from the gum exudate. alpha-D-Glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and rat small intestine was used as in vitro model to assess alpha-D-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the polysaccharide against yeast and mammalian enzyme. The reduction in postprandial blood glucose level after carbohydrate rich diet fed to Albino Wistar rats was employed as in vivo model of alpha-D-glucosidase inhibition. The study revealed alpha-D-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the polysaccharide in both in vitro as well as in vivo models. Therefore, polysaccharide isolated from A. tortilis plant gum exudate may be a potential drug for diabetes mellitus and its complications. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.