Abstract:
Although there are chemotherapeutic efforts in place for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM),
there is a need for novel strategies (including natural products) to manage T2DM. Fucoidan, a
sulphated polysaccharide was extracted from Ecklonia radiata. The integrity of the fucoidan was
confirmed by structural analysis techniques such as FT-IR, NMR and TGA. In addition, the fucoidan
was chemically characterised and tested for cell toxicity. The fucoidan was investigated with regards
to its potential to inhibit -amylase and -glucosidase. The fucoidan was not cytotoxic and inhibited
-glucosidase (IC50 19 g/mL) more strongly than the standard commercial drug acarbose (IC50
332 g/mL). However, the fucoidan lacked potency against -amylase. On the other hand, acarbose
was a more potent inhibitor of -amylase (IC50 of 109 g/mL) than -glucosidase. Due to side
effects associated with the use of acarbose, a combination approach using acarbose and fucoidan was
investigated. The combination showed synergistic inhibition (>70%) of -glucosidase compared to
when the drugs were used alone. The medicinal implication of this synergism is that a regimen with
a reduced acarbose dose may be used, thus minimising side effects to the patient, while achieving
the desired therapeutic effect for managing T2DM.
