Antihyperglycemic of Sargassum sp. Extract

Antihyperglycemic substances decrease blood glucose level by inhibiting α-glucosidase and inducing insulin sensitivity and secretion. The antihyperglycemic agents may control normal blood sugar fluctuations and prevent possibly macro- or microvascular complication. Sargassum sp., classified as brown seaweed family, contain enormous bioactive substances, such as, polyphenols and phlorotannin. Both substances are known as antihyperglycemic agents because of their ability to decrease α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities and increase insulin activity. Polyphenols and phlorotannin attach to the active sites of α-glucosidase and α-amylase on the small intestine and prevent the degradation of starch into glucose. This mechanism can decrease the availability of glucose in small intestine and reduce the glucose absorption by small intestine. Phlorotannins enhance the activated mitogen protein kinase (AMPK) and phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3 kinase pathways which improve insulin activities in the cells. If the blood glucose is maintained, the diabetic patients' body weights and glycated hemoglobin levels can be controlled, and the diabetes complication is preventable.