Anti-diabetic activity of Erythrina subumbrans (Hassk.) Merr.

α-amylase inhibitors present in pancreatic region has an operative strategy by controlling the breakdown of starch and helps to minimize the post-prandial hyperglycemia levels. In this study, vegetative (leaf) part of herbal plant Erythrina subumbrans (Hassk.) was assessed for anti-diabetic activity. Aqueous ethanol (80 %) extract was prepared in the different concentration (10, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 µg/ml). Acarbose was used as a standard and treated in similar way as that of sample. Control samples were also prepared without standard and sample solutions. A known volume of α-amylase solution was added (0.1mg/mL) was added to standard, sample, control solutions which were preincubated at 37 °C for 15 minutes. Further, known volume of starch solution was added and incubated for 60 min to initiate the reaction. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and iodine reagent was added to the test tubes and absorbance was measured at 580 nm in UV-Vis spectrophotometer. A strong pancreatic amylase inhibitory activity (>50 %) was obtained from aqueous ethanolic extract with IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) value of 23 µg/ml against standard acarbose with IC50 value of 27 µg/ml. The values endorse Erythrina subumbrans (Hassk.) for further experiments on their potential for managing Diabetes.