Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. fruit extracts on α-glucosidase enzyme, glucose diffusion and wound healing activities

Abstract

Objective: To provide in vitro evidence for antidiabetic activity through potential inhibition of α-glucosidase enzyme, glucose diffusion and enhancement in the wound healing using methanolic extract and fractions from Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. fruit. Methods: The inhibitory action of methanolic extract and fractions of such fruit on α-glucosidase enzyme and glucose movement through in vitro assay assessment was reported. Their activities on wound healing were tested using the scratch assay. Results: Ethyl acetate fraction at 50 mg/mL concentration exhibited significant α-glucosidase inhibition (95.79 mg/mL) with P < 0.05. At the same concentration, the methanolic extract as well as other fractions revealed lower α-glucosidase inhibition and higher glucose diffusion retardation across the dialysis tube than the control. Ethyl acetate and butanol fractions displayed notably higher glucose diffusion inhibitory activity of 5.21 mmol/L and 5.2 mmol/L, respectively as compared to methanolic extract and n-hexane fraction of 6.58 mmol/L and 6.49 mmol/L, respectively. Conversely, compared to other fractions the methanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction manifested proliferative effect at the incubation time of 6 h during the wound healing study. Conclusions: It is established that methanolic extract and fractions from H. sabdariffa Linn. fruit can inhibit the α-glucosidase enzyme and glucose movement as well as influence the wound healing activity positively.

Keywords

• α-Glucosidase
• Glucose diffusion
• Wound healing
• Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.