Presence of postprandial antidysmetabolic and antioxidative stress properties in aqueous methanol extract of seeds and tuber of aquatic food plant Nymphaea nouchali (Burm.f.)

Aqueous methanol extract of seeds and tuber of food and medicinal plant Nymphaea nouchali (Burm.f.) displayed potent pancreatic lipase and intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitory properties. These properties may help reduce development of diet induced postprandial hyperlipidaemia and postprandial hyperglycaemia respectively. In addition, seeds and tuber extracts possess potent free radicals scavenging activities and reducing power. Furthermore, extracts also displayed strong inhibitory activities against formation of various advanced glycation end-products which is an important link inducing postprandial oxidative stress due to postprandial hyperlipidaemia and postprandial hyperglycaemia. Seeds and tubers of N. nouchali are rich sources of polyphenolic and flavonoids. Results of this study show for the first time that N. nouchali seeds and tuber may become an important dietary supplement to counter development of diet induced hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia and resultant oxidative stress and can be utilized as herbal therapeutics for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity