BACKGROUND: The α-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20), a calcium-containing intestinal enzyme which is positioned in the cells which cover the intestinal microvilli brush border. The carbohydrates require metabolism by α-glucosidase before being absorbed into the small intestine, and as a result, this enzyme represents a significant drug target for the effective management of diabetes. There are few α- glucosidase inhibitors in the clinical practice that is challenged by several limitations. Thus, new effective and safe therapeutic agents in this class are required. In this regard, plant secondary metabolites are a very promising source to be investigated. Herein in this review, we have focused on the preclinical studies on various glycosides with in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

METHODS: The literature available on various websites such as GoogleScholar, PubMed, Scopus. All the peer-reviewed articles were included without considering the impact factor.

RESULTS: The surveyed literature revealed marked inhibitory profile of various glycosides derived from plants, and some of them were extremely potent relatively to the standard, acarbose in preclinical trials and exhibited multiple targeted effects.

CONCLUSION: Keeping in view the results, these glycosides are strong candidates for further, more detailed studies to ascertain their clinical potential and for effective contribution in effective management of diabetes, where multiple targets are required to address.