International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 2012-11-01

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) volatile oil inhibits key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes.

P C Lekshmi, Ranjith Arimboor, P S Indulekha, A Nirmala Menon

Index: Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. 63(7) , 832-4, (2012)

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Abstract

Anti-diabetic capacity of Curcuma longa volatile oil in terms of its ability to inhibit glucosidase activities was evaluated. Turmeric volatile oils inhibited glucosidase enzymes more effectively than the reference standard drug acarbose. Drying of rhizomes was found to enhance α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 1.32-0.38 μg/ml) and α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 64.7-34.3 μg/ml) inhibitory capacities of volatile oils. Ar-Turmerone, the major volatile component in the rhizome also showed potent α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 0.28 μg) and α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 24.5 μg) inhibition.