The stress response of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) has been suggested as an index for sympathetic nervous system activation. However, concurrent inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system is discussed as a confounder due to suppression of saliva flow rate. Here we set out to test the influence of stress-induced changes in flow rate on sAA secretion. Twenty-six subjects underwent the Trie...

It is now believed that the inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes (CHEs) in the digestive tract can significantly prolong the overall carbohydrate digestion time and decrease the postprandial hyperglycemia after a meal. Therefore, inhibitors of CHEs can be useful therapeutic approaches in the management of diabetes mellitus, especially in the type 2, and complications associated with t...

Aqueous extracts of four seaweeds collected from Gulf of Mannar coastal waters were tested for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition properties. The aqueous extracts of seaweeds in the order of Gracilaria edulis, Sargassum polycystum, Ulva lactuca and Gracilaria corticata showed significant inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. G. edulis was found to be a potent inhi...

Muscarinic receptors play an important role in secretory and vasodilator responses in rat salivary glands. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was found coupled to muscarinic receptor activation as well as to nitric oxide-mediated amylase secretion elicited by carbachol. Parotid glands presented a predominant M(3) and a minor muscarinic M(1) acetylcholine receptor population, though carbachol ...

Anti-diabetic capacity of Curcuma longa volatile oil in terms of its ability to inhibit glucosidase activities was evaluated. Turmeric volatile oils inhibited glucosidase enzymes more effectively than the reference standard drug acarbose. Drying of rhizomes was found to enhance α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 1.32-0.38 μg/ml) and α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 64.7-34.3 μg/ml) inhibitory capacities of volatile oils. ...

Pteris vittata L., a fern was evaluated for its alpha amylase inhibitory potential owing to its previously reported antihyperglycemic activity. This Pteridophyte was also assayed for its free radical inhibition ability in ABTS decolourisation assay followed by quantification and HPTLC of polyphenols. The Porcine pancreatic alpha amylase inhibition was studied invitro and compared with standard ...

The effects of vinblastine and colchicine on pancreatic acinar cells were studied by use of in vitro mouse pancreatic fragments. Vinblastine inhibited the release of amylase stimulated by bethanechol, caerulein, or ionophore A23187. Inhibition required preincubation with vinblastine,and maximum inhibition was observed after 90 min. Inhibition was relatively irreversible and could not be overcom...

In Gryllus bimaculatus , more digestive enzymes (amylase, trypsin, aminopeptidase) are secreted in the caecum of fed crickets than in unfed crickets, but the enzymes are released continuously at a basal rate in unfed animals. The rate of synthesis of the enzymes appears to parallel their rate of release. Digestive enzymes are released in response to a specific ratio of nutrients, although a hig...

The purpose of present study was to investigate the effect of water and ethanol extracts of red grape seeds on inhibition of pancreatic -amylase and lipase in vitro. Total proanthocyanidins were determined in grape seed extracts (GSEs). Different concentrations (400, 800, 1300 and 1800 ppm) of each GSE were employed to evaluate their potentials on pancreatic -amylase and lipase after pre-incuba...

The molecular requirements for amylase release and the intracellular effects of botulinum A toxin and tetanus toxin on amylase release were investigated using rat pancreatic acinar cells permeabilized with streptolysin O. Micromolar concentrations of free Ca2+ evoked amylase release from these cells. Maximal release was observed in the presence of 30 microM free Ca2+. Ca(2+)-stimulated, but not...