In vitro Effect of Aqueous Extract of Fresh Leaves of Abroma augusta L on the Diffusion of Glucose

There have been a number of reports concerning the role of dietary fiber in hampering the diffusion of glucose and lowering the postprandial serum glucose. The present study investigates the effect of viscous aqueous leaf extract of Abroma augusta L (Family: Sterculiaceae, Bengali name: Ulatkambal, English name: Devil's cotton, DC) on the diffusion of glucose in vitro. Different mixtures were prepared using varying concentrations of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC) and aqueous extract of A. augusta with a fixed concentration of glucose. The diffusion of glucose from these systems into the outer medium through the ultra-fine membrane was measured. The results showed that both Na-CMC and aqueous extract of ulatkambal significantly (p<0.05) reduced the diffusion of glucose compared to control in a concentration-dependent manner. The result of this study suggested that dietary fiber present in the aqueous leaf extract of A. augusta may be potentially effective in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus by reducing post-prandial glucose absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.