ABSTRACT

Actiniopteris dichotoma Mett. (Pteridaceae) is documented in Ayurveda for treatment of Prameha (Diabetes), Atisara and skin diseases. However, the antidiabetic properties of this plant have not been fully validated using scientific tools. The present study screens the A. dichotoma extract and fractions for enzyme inhibitory (α–amylase and α–glucosidase) activity related to type 2 diabetes. The extract was prepared using cold maceration followed by Soxhlation and finally fractionated the combined extracts. Different concentrations (0.1–0.5 mg/mL) of extract and four fractions were subjected to enzyme inhibitory assays. The absorbance was measured at 540 and 405 nm and IC50 values were calculated. Fraction 2 has shown highest α–amylase and α–glucosidase inhibitory activity, (IC50 values are 0.131 and 0.114 mg/mL) which was comparable with acarbose (0.125 and 0.093 mg/mL). Hence, further studies may throw light on the antidiabetic potential of A. dichotoma especially in the management of T2D.