The inhibition of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes in human digestive organs is crucial in controlling blood sugar levels, which is important in treating type 2 diabetes. In the current study, pahangensin A (1), a bis-labdanic diterpene characterized previously in the rhizomes of Alpinia pahangensis Ridl., was identified as an active dual inhibitor for α-amylase (IC50 =114.80 μm) and α-glucosidase (IC50 =153.87 μm). This is the first report on the dual α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of a bis-labdanic diterpene. The Lineweaver-Burk plots of compound 1 indicate that it is a mixed-type inhibitor with regard to both enzymes. Based on molecular docking studies, compound 1 docked in a non-active site of both enzymes. The dual inhibitory activity of compound 1 makes it a suitable natural alternative in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
The plant Alpinia officinarum of the ginger family originated in China and is used throughout South and South-East Asian countries to flavor food and as a traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseases. This review summarizes the biological, pharmacological and phytochemical properties of extracts and subsequently isolated compounds from A. officinarum. In vitro and in vivo studies of both extracts and pure compounds indicate a wide variety of potent bioactivities including antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiobesity, anticancer, enzyme inhibitory and remarkable antiviral properties. The latter is particularly promising in the face of emerging, virulent respiratory diseases in Asia and the Middle East.