Antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitability of Amaranthus spinosus L. Amaranthaceae

Abstract

      The research was carried out to provide more information about the characteristics and hypoglycemic activity of Amaranth in Viet Nam. Amaranthus spinosus L. identified by DNA method, and morphological characteristics were investigdted by conventional methods. Preliminary phytochemicals, according to the Ciuley method, were improved by University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. The total extract and five fractions of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water were investigated. The antioxidant activity wasanalyzed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition of 6 extract samples. The species was indentified as A. spinosus by sequencing the matK gene, with morphological characteristics similar to reference documents. The plant chemical composition included fats, organic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, triterpenes, saponins, tannins, reducing agents and polyuronic compounds. Chloroform fraction extract exhibited the best antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ 144.97 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition (IC₅₀ 239.25 μg/mL), as compared to the positive controls vitamin C (IC₅₀ 10.95 μg/mL) and acarbose (IC₅₀ 254.03 μg/mL).