α‐Glucosidase inhibitors in diabetes: efficacy in NIDDM subjects

Abstract

With α‐glucosidase inhibitors generally improved metabolic control is achieved in NIDDM patients regardless of whether acarbose is administered in addition to other oral anti‐diabetic agents or to diet alone. The most significant finding is the reduction of postprandial blood glucose concentrations. Long‐term studies show a decrease in glycosylated haemoglobin and often also in fasting blood glucose levels. Placebo‐controlled studies have proven that postprandial insulin concentrations are decreased under acarbose treatment while fasting plasma insulin is usually unchanged. The major side‐effects of acarbose treatment involve the gastrointestinal system and include flatulence, abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea. Symptoms diminish with treatment time and are less severe when the treatment is started with low doses. Acarbose should usually be initiated as a 50 mg dose immediately before each major carbohydrate containing meal. Monotherapy with acarbose does not cause hypoglycaemia, however, hypoglycaemia may occur with combination of sulphonylurea or insulin treatment by the well‐known reasons. In this case hypoglycaemia has to be treated by taking glucose.

Chemical composition and evaluation of possible alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity of eight Aloe species

“…Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors inhibit the disaccharide digestion and impede the postprandial glucose excursion to enable overall smooth glucose profile (Casirola and Ferraris, 2006). Several alpha-glucosidase inhibitors have been isolated from medicinal plants to develop as an alternative drug with increased potency and lesser adverse effects than the existing drugs (Toeller, 1994). Our in vitro studies, had shown that the polysaccharide samples isolated form the eight studied Aloe species had some inhibitory activities on the alpha-glucosidase enzyme (Table 3).…”

Health benefits of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) polyphenols and dietary fiber: a review

“…They may act as inhibitors of amylase and glucosidase (similar to acarbose, miglitol and voglibose) leading to a reduction in post-prandial hyperglycemia (Bailey 2001). Synergy between phenolics and dietary fiber may play a role in mediating amylase inhibition and therefore, have the potential to contribute to the management of type II Diabetes mellitus (Saito et al 1998;Toeller 1994). Chethan et al (2008a) studied the mode of inhibition of finger millet malt amylases by the millet phenolics and reported that the crude polyphenolic extract exerts mixed non-competitive type inhibition, whereas the individual phenolic compounds isolated from the extract exhibit uncompetitive inhibition.…”

Effects ofGrifola frondosanon-polar bioactive components on high-fat diet fed and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic mice

“…Among the many therapies, decreasing postprandial hyperglycemia is considered to be the best therapeutic approach (Park et al, 2013;Toeller, 1994). It is achieved through retarding the absorption of glucose by inhibiting activities of the carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes (a-amylase and a-glucosidase) in the digestive tract.…”