Alpha-amylase activity of tannin isolated from Terminalia chebula

One important therapeutic approach for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is by decreasing the postprandial increase of glucose. This is possible by inhibiting certain carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes like alpha-amylase. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of tannins isolated from the alcoholic extract of fruits of Terminalia chebula was evaluated for the first time with porcine pancreatic amylase and potato starch as substrate. The result indicated that highest inhibition (52%) was obtained at the concentration of 100μg/ml of tannins extracted from the fruits. The result was comparable to that of Acarbose which is a very effective antidiabetic agent.