α-Glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition potentials of ten wild Mexican species of Verbenaceae

Purpose: To evaluate the inhibitory activity of 10 wild Verbenaceae species from Mexico against α-
glucosidase and α-amylase.
Methods: Ethanol leaf extracts of 10 Verbenaceae species from Mexico were prepared. The inhibitory
activity of the extracts against α-glucosidase and α-amylase was evaluated using enzymatic protocols.
At least four serial diluted concentrations of each extract was used to calculate the half-maximal
inhibitory concentration (IC50).
Results: The 10 evaluated Verbenaceae species showed high α-glucosidase inhibition activity, but a
low inhibitory effect on α-amylase. Aloysia gratissima (IC50 = 0.122 mg/mL), Verbena carolina (IC50 =
0.112 mg/mL), Bouchea prismatica (IC50 = 0.122 mg/mL), Verbena menthiflora (IC50 = 0.071mg/mL)
and Priva mexicana (IC50 = 0.032 mg/mL) exhibited the strongest inhibitory activities against α-
glucosidase.
Conclusion: All the Verbenaceae species studied possess α-glucosidase inhibitory effect, with P.
mexicana being the one with the strongest activity. These findings demonstrate the highs potential of
these species as a source of natural antihyperglycemic agents for type 2 diabetes therapy.