After a mixed carbohydrate diet, inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase involved in the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates can significantly decrease the postprandial increase of blood glucose level. In the course of screening these useful enzyme inhibitors, we selected five kinds of bean, using an in-vitro enzyme inhibition assay method. To evaluate the effect of germination process on the functionality of the bean, we investigated the inhibitory activities of the water extracts of non-germinated bean and germinated bean against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, relevant to postprandial hyperglycemia. We also investigated the oxygen radical absorbance capacity(ORAC), total phenolics content, and postprandial blood glucose lowering effect in rats(Sprague-Dawley rat model). Most germinated beans showed significantly higher α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, compared with non-germinated beans. Among germinated beans, Glycine max had the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity(53.3%). The water extract of germinated Phaseolus vulgaris L. had the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity(95.1%), followed by Glycine max(58.7%), and Glycine max L. Merr(54.1%). Furthermore, the five germinated beans also showed high antioxidant activities in ORAC assay. Results suggested that the germination process may improve and enhance the anti-hyperglycemia potential and antioxidant activity of the bean.

The inhibitory activities of a water extract of Sanghwang mushroom(Phellinus linteusau)(SWE) against α-glucosidases were evaluated in this study. Inhibiting these enzymes involved in the absorption of disaccharides significantly decreases the postprandial increase in blood glucose level after a mixed carbohydrate diet. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl scavenging activities of the SWE were evaluated to investigate the antioxidant activity of the SWE associated with complications of long-term diabetes. Furthermore, the postprandial blood glucose lowering effect of SWE was compared to a known type 2 diabetes drug(Acarbose®) in a Sprague-Dawley rat model. SWE significantly reduced the blood glucose increase after sucrose loading. These results suggest that SWE, which has high α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and high antioxidant activities, has the potential to contribute to a useful dietary strategy for controlling postprandial hyperglycemia.