Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated co-morbidities including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and obesity (OB) are fast becoming leading causes of mortality in the developed and developing world. While the etiologies of these diseases are not completely understood, they are often associated with excessive caloric intake, hyperglycemia, irregular blood lipid levels and resulting oxidative stress. One important strategy for managing DM is managing postprandial hyperglycemia by reducing the digestion of carbohydrates by α-glucosidases. The risk factors for CVD and obesity can further be managed by regulating postprandial increases in blood triglyceride and fatty acid levels by modulating the activity of lipase. We investigated the potential of 26 different herbs, spices and medicinal plants (HSMP) commonly used in Central/South American traditional medicine to reduce the energy harvest capacity of the mammalian gut by a-glucosidases and lipases in different model systems. In addition, we also assessed their abilities to confer antioxidant protection in biological systems. Our results indicate that several HSMP had the ability to prevent the digestion of carbohydrates by inhibiting α-amylase, maltase and sucrase. These HSMP were also effective in inhibiting the activity of lipase and therefore digestion of triglycerides in the mammalian gut. Based on our results, we have identified HSMP from Central/South American that can be used as an alternative and complimentary strategy to manage risk factors of DM and associated co-morbidities.

Key words: Diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, obesity, energy harvest, a-glucosidase, pancreatic amylase, disaccharidases, maltase, sucrase, lipase, enzyme inhibition, antioxidant activity, herbs, spices, medicinal plants, Central/South American traditional medicine.