Inhibition of α-Glucosidase by Thiosulfinate as a Target for Glucose Modulation in Diabetic Rats

Abstract EN

Postprandial hyperglycemia is a predisposing factor for vascular dysfunction and organ damage.

α-glucosidase is a hydrolytic enzyme that increases the glucose absorption rate and subsequently elevates blood glucose levels.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a rich source of several phytonutrients, including thiosulfinate (THIO).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of THIO, a potent inhibitor of intestinal α-glucosidase, to reduce postprandial blood glucose.

Male albino rats were randomly assigned to five different groups ( n = 10 /group).

Group 1 served as the control group.

Groups 2–5 were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes.

Group 2 comprised untreated diabetic rats.

Groups 3 and 4 contained diabetic rats that were given THIO orally (20 mg/kg body weight/day and 40 mg/kg body weight/day, resp.).

Group 5 was the positive control having diabetic rats treated orally with acarbose (10 mg/kg body weight/day; positive control).

Diabetic rats treated with THIO displayed a significant blood glucose reduction ( p < 0.001 and < 0.01 by analysis of variance, resp.) and a significant elevation in insulin compared with that of untreated rats.

THIO is an effective noncompetitive intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitor that promotes hypoglycemic action ( p < 0.001 ) in STZ-injected rats.

THIO is a promising agent for the management of postprandial hyperglycemia.