Screening of crude drugs for influence on amylase activity and postprandial blood glucose in mouse plasma.

Screening of crude drugs for inhibitory activity on alpha-amylase in mouse plasma was performed. Hot water extracts and ethanolic extracts of Arecae Semen, Ephedrae Herba, Malloti Cortex, Rhei Rhizoma and ethanolic extract of Moutan Cortex inhibited enzyme activity in isolated mouse plasma strongly and dose-dependently. However, the effects of these 9 extracts were not observed in the plasma when they were administered intraperitoneally or orally. Ethanolic extract of Arecae Semen also showed a depressive effect on elevation of postprandial blood glucose.