Clausena excavata: In Vitro Inhibitory Activity Against α-Glucosidase and Pancreatic Lipase

Abstract

Clausena excavata Burm.f. is a tropical medicinal plant that has been used in traditional practice for a range of health conditions. In this study, leaf fractions of C. excavata prepared using methanol (MOH), ethyl acetate (EA), chloroform (CH), and petroleum ether (PT) were screened for their ability to inhibit two clinically relevant enzymes: α-glucosidase, which is associated with postprandial glucose control, and pancreatic lipase, which is involved in intestinal fat digestion. Among the fractions tested, the CH fraction produced the strongest inhibition against both α-glucosidase and porcine pancreatic lipase, with IC50 values of 53.5 ± 1.08 μg/mL and 177.3 ± 0.43 μg/mL, respectively. These findings suggest that the chloroform-soluble constituents of C. excavata leaves may contain compounds of interest for further anti-diabetic and anti-obesity investigation. Further chemical profiling and mechanism-based studies are required before therapeutic claims can be made to position it as a promising candidate for anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity drug development.