Volume 5

October-December 2013

Amylase inhibitory activity of some macrolichens of Western Ghats, Karnataka, India

Vinayaka K S, Karthik S, Nandini K C, Prashith Kekuda T R

Abstract:
Diabetes mellitus is an endocrinal chronic disease caused by altered carbohydrate metabolism and characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. The present study was conducted to determine amylase inhibitory activity of methanol extract of six macrolichens namely Everniastrum cirrhatum (Fr.) Hale, Usnea sinensis, Ramalina conduplicans Vain, Ramalina hossei, Parmotrema pseudotinctorum (des. Abb.) Hale and Parmotrema tinctorum collected from Western Ghats, Karnataka. The lichens were collected, powdered and extracted using methanol. The inhibitory activity of extracts of the lichens was determined against fungal amylase. The extracts caused a dose dependent inhibition of amylase activity. Among lichens, R. conduplicans caused higher inhibition of enzyme activity followed by R. hossei, P. tinctorum, U. sinensis, E. cirrhatum and P. pseudotinctorum. The inhibitory efficacy of lichens could be related to the presence of secondary metabolites present. The lichens of Karnataka could be exploited in the development of agents active in regulating postprandial glucose level and hence the lichens could possibly used to manage diabetes.

Keywords: Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Macrolichens, Amylase Inhibitory Activity, Secondary Metabolites, Type II Diabetes.