Abstract
Fresh fronds of Adiantum aethiopicum L were collected from Fergusson College campus at various growth stages like young fronds, mature fronds without sori, mature fronds with immature sori (pale green colour) and mature fronds with mature sori stage (brown to black colour). They were extracted with 0.15 M NaCl. The clear supernatant obtained after centrifugation was subjected to protein fractionation with ammonium sulphate. The protein fractions were dialyzed against 0.15M NaCl and tested for salivary alpha amylase inhibitor assay. Fractions between 31 and 60% saturation (F31-60) proved to have maximum salivary amylase inhibitory activity; hence it was applied to a Sephadex G-100 column and eluted at a flow rate of 3.0 ml / 10 min. Each eluted fraction was measured spectrophotometrically at 280 nm and tested for salivary alpha amylase inhibitor assay. The elution number 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19 and 20 exhibited maximum salivary AAI activity. Maximum inhibitory activity (68%) was observed in eluted fraction no. 8. The fraction is moderately thermo-stable as it is stable to the temperature ranging from 300C to 600 C. The Maximum activity was recorded at 300 and retained about 60% activity up to 500 C. It was also proved to be stable to different pH ranging from 3 to 9, but at pH 7.0 it showed maximum inhibitory activity. The fraction was tested for its proteolytic actions against proteolytic enzymes such as trypsin and chymotrypsin. It was found to be more effective amylase inhibitor than the commercial acarbose tablet (Glucobay). Thus, the results of present investigation could suggest the possible use of AAI extracted from Adiantum aethiopicum L. can be used as hypoglycemic agent in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and obesity patients.
