earticle

영어

The α-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant effects of water chestnut (Trapa japonica Flerov.) were assessed toexplore its possible use as an anti-diabetic agent. Methanol extracts of the fruit shell and meat of water chestnut were assayedfor inhibitory activity against yeast α-glucosidase and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity.Effect of fruit shell extract on postprandial glucose response was assessed. Compared with fruit meat, shell extract showedstronger inhibition against α-glucosidase with an IC50 of 273µg/mL. Oral administration of fruit shell extract (500mg/kg)significantly lowered the postprandial area under the glucose response curve to starch (1g/kg) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induceddiabetic rats (p<0.01). Compared with fruit meat, shell extract showed stronger scavenging activity against DPPH, with anIC50 of 27.1µg/mL. The results indicate that the fruit shell of water chestnut was effective in controlling postprandialhyperglycemia and exerted an antioxidant effect. Therefore, water chestnut may be useful in treating diabetes.