Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: The purpose of these experiments is to extract and isolate an α-glucosidase inhibitor from the roots and stems of Polygonatum sibiricum Red. The aqueous extract of Polygonatum sibiricum Red. was extracted with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol to give four separate extracts. The alkaloids of Polygonatum, Polygonatum polysaccharides, flavonoids of Polygonatum, saponins of Polygonatum and anthraquinones of Polygonatum were also extracted from Polygonatum sibiricum Red. The inhibitory activity of each fraction against α-glucosidase was determined and the inhibitory kinetics of the remaining aqueous fraction and Polygonatum polysaccharides were investigated. The inhibitory activity of the remaining aqueous fraction (67.08 %) and Polygonatum polysaccharides (80.19 %) was higher. Both were dose-dependent, and exhibited fast-binding, reversible, mixed-type α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. More potent α-glucosidase inhibitors can be obtained by separating Polygonatum polysaccharides and the water fraction of the aqueous extract of the roots and stems of Polygonatum sibiricum Red.

Key words: Polygonatum sibiricum Red., α-glucosidase inhibitor, Polygonatum polysaccharides