Antidiabetic (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and anti-obesity (lipase) inhibitory activities of edible cassava ( <i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz) as measured by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion: effects of phenolics and harvested time
Alphonse Laya, Bénoît Bargui Koubala, Pradeep Singh Negi
Abstract
Edible cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta) were consumed as vegetables for their bioactive compounds, however the effect of harvesting time on these bioactive compounds and their antidiabetic and anti-obesity inhibitory activities were scarcely reported in the literature. Phenolics from edible leaves harvested at different times were assessed using HPLC-DAD, and their antidiabetic and anti-obesity inhibitory activities were investigated before and after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The results showed a significant (P < .05) effect of harvesting time on phenolic contents. Bound phenolics showed higher lipase inhibitory activity than their free fractions. However, phenolic contents decreased after in vitro digestion, while they showed high antidiabetic and anti-obesity inhibitory activities. The present study demonstrated that edible leaves harvested at different times are rich in flavonoids, stilbenes, tannins and saponins. These bioactive compounds are highly potent against α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase before and after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Therefore, we recommend edible cassava leaves for important biological active compounds for the prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes.