Abstract:
Protein Glycation, is a non-enzymatic process which forms Advanced Glycation End Products
(AGEs). Accumulation of AGEs in the body causes health complications, especially those related to
diabetes. Oxidative stress is also considered to be a contributing factor for such health complications.
The present study was undertaken to look into the inhibitory potential on the formation of AGEs
as well as the anti-oxidant potential of the aqueous extract of the leaves of the Sri Lankan variety
of Solanum torvum (thibbatu) [AELST].The extract was prepared according to the method of
Kasaya preparation in Ayurveda medicine. Fructose mediated Protein Glycation was induced by
using Bovine Serum Albumin and fructose in buffer of pH 7.4 to mimic AGE formation. The assay
showed that AELST has a 7.7% - 85.1% inhibitory effect on AGE formation at a concentration range
of 0.25 - 2.0 mg/mL. Amino guanidine which was the positive control, known to have much side
effects showed AGE inhibition from 0%- 87.5% for the same concentration range. The plant extract
showed the presence of phenols and flavonoids. AELST also showed a radical scavenging activity
between 19.2% - 76.7% in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay while the standard BHT
showed a percentage inhibition of 13.2% - 83.5% for the concentration range of 25-200 μg/mL. In the
hydroxyl radical scavenging assay AELST showed a percentage radical scavenging activity of 29.3% -
42.7% while the positive control ascorbic acid showed a percentage inhibition of 24.1% - 36.9% in a
concentration range of 0.5 - 2.0 mg/mL. Hydroxyl radical is one of the potent reactive oxygen species
in the biological system. The results show that AELST has the potential to be developed to suppress
complications arising due to AGE formation in patients with chronic hyperglycemia and also as a
remedy to prevent diseases in which radicals are implicated.
