Tetracarpidium conophorum seed extract reduces intestinal absorption, and increases cellular trapping of glucose

Abstract Background Tetracarpidium conophorum is one of the numerous folklore medicinal plants for managing diabetes but the mode of action and bioactive compounds responsible for the antihyperglycemic property are missing in literatures. This study aimed at investigating the possible modes of its antihyperglycemic action using both in-vitro and ex-vivo methods. Powdered Tetracarpidium conophorum seed (TECOSE) was extracted with methanol using standard extraction procedure. Gas chromatography- Mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis of the extract, and its effects on tissue glucose uptake, α-amylase, α-glucosidase and glucokinase enzymes were assessed using standard laboratory procedures. Results Seven heterocyclic compounds were identified by GCMS of which one is structurally related to sulphonylurea. TECOSE strongly inhibited α-glucosidase (IC50 = 1.90 mg/ml) but partially inhibited α-amylase (IC50 = 7.20 mg/ml) activities. Also, glucokinase activity and tissue glucose uptakes were significantly (p < 0.05) increased by TECOSE. Conclusions The results obtained deduced that antihyperglycemic action of TECOSE could be due to modulation of postprandial hyperglycaemia through inhibition of intestinal α-glucosidase, increasing glucokinase activity, improving peripheral glucose uptake by mimicking sulfonylurea action.