Abstract:

Fruits of several Sorbus species (Rosaceace) are used both in traditional medicine as antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, diuretic, vasoprotective and in foods. In this study, in vitro antidiabetic activities of water extracts of Sorbus aucuparia L. (rowan tree) and Sorbus torminalis L. Crantz (wild sevice tree) fruits were investigated by measuring inhibitory potentials on α-glucosidase and pancreatic α-amylase activities, the most important digestive enzymes. Also, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the fruits were determined to evaluate the association between phenolic content and antidiabetic activity. S. torminalis and S. aucuparia extracts exhibited strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, more effective than that of standard drug acarbose. However, S. torminalis has shown moderate inhibitory effect against α-amylase while S. aucuparia exhibited weak inhibition. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the fruits were correlated with andiabetic activities. It has been suggested that antidiabetic effects of the fruits may be due to phenolic compounds present therein. Therefore, S. aucuparia and S. torminalis fruits might be potential sources of antidiabetic compounds.

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