Title : Cameroonian medicinal plants with anti-amylase activity: A contribution to the search for accessible solutions for diabetes management in a tropical context

Type 2 diabetes is currently a major public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa, with a rapidly rising prevalence occurring against a backdrop of limited access to modern antidiabetic treatments. This situation drives the use of medicinal plants, which are widely employed in traditional medicine. Among therapeutic approaches, the inhibition of alpha-amylase—a key enzyme in carbohydrate digestion—emerges as an effective strategy for limiting postprandial hyperglycemia. This study aims to evaluate the anti-amylase potential of Cameroonian medicinal plants and to identify the bioactive compounds involved.

A systematic literature review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, identified 27 Cameroonian medicinal plants exhibiting alpha-amylase inhibitory activity. Based on this, four species (*Annona muricata*, *Monodora myristica*, *Garcinia kola*, and *Terminalia superba*) were selected according to criteria regarding efficacy (inhibition ≥ 75%) and pharmacological relevance. Crude extracts were obtained via maceration, and their anti-amylase activity was subsequently evaluated *in vitro* using a colorimetric method.

The results demonstrated significant alpha-amylase inhibition by all the tested extracts. The *Terminalia superba* extract stood out due to its particularly high activity, showing an inhibition rate exceeding 80%—comparable to that of the reference compound, acarbose. This extract underwent bio-guided fractionation via liquid-liquid separation, yielding several fractions, some of which exhibited even more pronounced inhibitory activity. Analysis of the most active fractions using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) revealed the presence of bioactive compounds—specifically polyphenols and alkaloids—that likely account for the observed activity.

These results confirm the potential of Cameroonian medicinal plants as a source of accessible antidiabetic agents. In a resource-limited setting, their utilization could help improve diabetes management, complementing existing therapeutic approaches. However, further research—specifically in vivo and toxicological studies—is required to confirm these findings and explore potential clinical applications.

To be updated shortly..