Effect of extracts from bean (phaseolus vulgaris) and field bean (vicia faba) varieties on intestinal D-glucose transport in rat in vivo

Saline extract solutions from seeds of both Phaseolus vulgaris and Vicia faba varieties were prepared and tested for their total polyphenolic content and effect on intestinal D-Glucose transport across rat ileum in vivo. Intestinal D-glucose transport was significantly reduced (P Vicia faba, var. caballar > Vicia faba, var. minor > Phaseolus vulgaris, var. albus) is closely related to the polyphenolic content. Clear differences in the mode of action of the extracts were also observed. Extracts with appreciable polyphenolic content caused both a reversible and a lasting inhibitory effect on glucose transport, whilst extracts with negligible polyphenolic content only induced a reversible inhibition. Polyamide treatment of the extracts decreased their ability to inhibit glucose transport, but their inhibitory effect was not completely abolished by the treatment, further suggesting the presence of some other anti-absorptive factor(s) in the seeds.