This study was carried out to investigate inhibitory effect of extracts from Artemisia capillaris Thumb. on maltase, sucrase, α-amylase, nonspecific α-glucosidase, and postprandial hyperglycemia. Methanol extract and organic solvent (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, aqueous) fractions from the medicinal herb were determined for the inhibitory activities against maltase, sucrase and α-amylase. The methanol extract from A. capillaris strongly inhibited maltase (57%) and α-glucosidase (72%) at the concentration of 100 μg/ml. Among the four fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, aqueous) examined, the butanol fraction from A. capillaris showed potent inhibitory effects on maltase (73%), sucrase (33%), and α-amylase (75%) at the concentration of 100 μg/ml. The butanol fraction from Artemisia capillaris also exhibited significant reductions (20%) of blood glucose elevation in mice loaded with maltose. These results suggest that the extract from Artemisia capillaris can be used as a new nutraceutical for inhibition on postprandial hyperglycemia

• Chang-Hyun Kim
• Sung-Jin Lee