Lasianthera Africana leaves inhibits α-amylase α-glucosidase, angiotensin-I converting enzyme activities and Fe2+-induced oxidative damage in pancreas and kidney homogenates

Lasianthera africana is a dark green leafy vegetable commonly consumed as food and used for treatment of several human ailments in Nigeria most especially south-east. This study investigated the phenolic composition and effects of methanol extract from L. africana leaves on enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and hypertension [angiotensin-1-converting enzymes (ACE)] as well as Fe 2+ -induced lipid peroxidation in rat’s pancreas and kidney homogenates were evaluated. Phenolic contents and constituents were also determined using colorimetric methods and high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) respectively. Our findings revealed that the extract inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase and ACE activities with IC 50 values of 0.192 and 0.21 mg/mL, and 57.06 μg/mL respectively. The extract also inhibited Fe 2+ -induced lipid peroxidation in rats’ pancreas and kidney homogenates. Our findings revealed that the extract is rich in phenolic acids such as caffeic acid (59.97 mg/g), chlorogenic acid (58.23 mg/g) and ellagic acid (31.16 mg/g) as well as flavonoids such as quercetin (42.98 mg/g). These results give a clue to the potential use of L. africana leaves as an alternative agent for the control of glucose absorption and lowering of blood pressure in diabetic patients with hypertension.