The Inhibitory Effects of New Zealand Pine Bark (Enzogenol) on α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase, and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) Enzymes.

The New Zealand pine bark extract (Enzogenol) has previously been shown to elicit acute hypoglycaemic effects in humans. The present study investigated the underlying mechanisms of Enzogenol in reducing postprandial glucose in humans. The potential inhibitory action of Enzogenol against digestive enzymes: α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) enzyme was determined. Enzogenol demonstrated the ability to inhibit all three enzymes: α-amylase enzyme activity (IC 3.98 ± 0.11 mg/mL), α-glucosidase enzyme activity (IC 13.02 ± 0.28 μg/mL), and DPP-4 enzyme activity (IC 2.51 ± 0.04 mg/mL). The present findings indicate the potential for Enzogenol to improve postprandial glycaemia by delaying carbohydrate digestion via the inhibition of digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), and enhancing the incretin effect via inhibiting the dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 enzyme. The inhibitory actions of Enzogenol on enzymes should therefore be further validated in humans for its potential use in type 2 diabetes mellitus prevention and management.