Flavanone compounds of Cyperus rotundus L: FTIR profile and alfa glucosidase enzyme inhibition assay

In Indonesia, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is expected to reach 19.5 million by 2021. The enzyme α glucosidase contributes to diabetes mellitus. Sedge grass (SG) contains flavanone chemicals that reduce blood glucose levels by blocking the α-glucosidase enzyme. This study analyzes the α-glucosidase enzyme's inhibitory effect and the flavanone chemicals' FTIR profile in fractionated SG tuber extract. It also examines the characterization of the active fraction. This experimental study employed samples of 96% ethanol extract. The study began with maceration of SG tubers in 96% ethanol, followed by fractionation with ethanol: water (7:3) (sample I), ethyl acetate (sample II), and hexane (sample III). Testing was done in vitro with three groups. The fraction was examined for inhibition of the α-glucosidase enzyme using the UV-Vis spectrophotometric technique and IC50 parameters with the reference substance acarbose. The active fraction was characterized using an FTIR spectrophotometer. The data were analyzed using the ANOVA test. The IC50 values for acarbose groups I, II, and III were 25.8894 ± 0.03223 ppm, 9.4731 ± 0.0424 ppm, and -34.2001 ± 14.2534 ppm, respectively. Groups I and II significantly limit the activity of the α-glucosidase enzyme, while Group III does not. The characterization results suggest that the functional group resembles the flavanone group of chemicals. The active fraction of SG tubers contains functional groups nearly identical to normal functional groups, particularly flavanone compounds.