Phlorofucofuroeckol A isolated from Ecklonia cava alleviates postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic mice

This study was designed to investigate whether phlorofucofuroeckol A inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities and alleviated postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. Phlorofucofuroeckol A that was isolated from Ecklonia cava (brown algae) demonstrated prominent inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities. The IC50 values of phlorofucofuroeckol A against α-glucosidase and α-amylase were 19.52 and 6.34 μM, respectively. These inhibitory activities of phlorofucofuroeckol A were higher than those of acarbose, which was used as a positive control. Increases in postprandial blood glucose levels were significantly more suppressed in the group administered phlorofucofuroeckol A compared to the control group in both diabetic and normal mice. Moreover, the area under the curve was significantly lower after phlorofucofuroeckol A administration (2296 versus 2690 mmol min/l) in the diabetic mice. These results suggested that phlorofucofuroeckol A is a potent α-glucosidase inhibitor and can alleviate the postprandial hyperglycemia that is caused by starch.