In-vitro Anti-diabetic and Antioxidant Efficacy of Methanolic Extract of Encephalartos ferox leaves

Background: Diabetes mellitus has been identified as one of the global cause of disability and death. Objectives: The study aim to investigate the in-vitro antidibetic and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Encephalartos ferox leaves. Materials and Methods: The plant was screened for its Phytochemical composition. The plant material was extracted with methanol and the methanolic extract was screened (in-vitro) for its antioxidant activity using ABTS and DPPH assays. The potential antidiabetic activity of the plant extract was evaluated against some carbohydrates (α- amylase and α-glucosidase) and lipid (pancreatic lipase) digestive enzymes. The inverted intestinal sac model was also used to investigate the effect of the extract on intestinal glucose absorption. The anti-protein glycation activity of the extract was determined using haemoglobin. Results: The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of most of the phytochemicals (Tannins, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Alkaloids etc) that were screened for. The crude extract exhibited the antidiabetic potential as it significantly (P< 0.05) inhibited α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase in a dose dependent fashion. The extract also effectively reduced intestinal glucose absorption. The extract further showed antioxidant activity by efficiently scavenging ABTS and DPPH radicals with IC₅₀ values of 68.3 μg/ml and 308 μg/ml, respectively. The extract also inhibited haemoglobin glycation, thus displaying the anti-protein glycation potential. Conclusion: It is apparent that E. ferox extract could serve as scaffold for diabetic therapy. For future study, cytotoxicity profile and in vivo investigation of the antidiabetic activity of the crude extract are essential.