Abstract:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a serious metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose or hyperglycemia. The inhibition of a-amylase and a-glucosidase, the key enzymes involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose, is considered to be the best way to manage T2DM as it can significantly reduce postprandial hyperglycemia. In the Philippines, available synthetic antihyperglycemic drugs are expensive and come with side effects. Natural sources such as macrofungi may contain important bioactive compounds that can provide a safer and more economical alternative to synthetic drugs. This study aimed to determine the a-amylase and a-glucosidase inhibitory effect of hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts of Fuscoporia torulosa MFSLP-12 in vitro. Methanol extract produced the strongest inhibition on a-amylase (38%) and a-glucosidase (56%) while hexane and ethyl acetate extracts showed weak to no inhibition. Compared to acarbose, its IC50 values were about nine folds higher for a-amylase and five folds higher for a-glucosidase. The slightly weaker a-amylase inhibition suggest that it may present lesser side effects compared to synthetic drugs. This indicates that the methanol extract has the potential to be an antihyperglycemic agent. Tannins, phenols, alkaloids, and reducing sugars were present in the methanol extract. Separation and isolation of these compounds are recommended to establish their effects in the observed a-amylase and a-glucosidase inhibition.
