Antidiabetic activity, alpha-amylase, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect of Tradescantia spathacea Swartz extract

Tradescantia spathacea Swartz belongs to the genus  Commelinaceae, a tropical tree used in many countries as an herbal drug for the care of diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to examine anti-diabetic activity of the Tradescantia spathacea Swartz methanolic extract (METSW) and the in-vitro activity of α-amylase, and α-glucosidase was carried out.  METSW compared with acarbose inhibition of the α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme, METSW exhibited IC50 less than 100μg/mL would be considered as healthy. The METSW showed IC50 66.22 ± 0.52μg/mL α-amylase activity, acarbose revealed an IC50 of 83.25 ± 1.28μg/mL. METSW demonstrated IC50 levels of  85.37 ± 0.72 μg/mL (y= 0.095x+41.89) inhibition of  the α-Glucosidase enzymes.  METSW at 400 mg/kg greatly decreased the region under the blood glucose level curve in a typical rat test for oral glucose tolerance. The single dose of the extract decreased dramatically from  211 mg/dl to 89.22 mg/dl at 400 mg/kg  METSW in the alloxan induced diabetic model. METSW possesses strong antidiabetic activity in vivo  and in vitro. Besides, the extract has also been shown to have a significant inhibitory activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase which may lead to its anti-hyperglycemic function when used in diabetic patients.