Blighia sapida; The Plant and Its Hypoglycins an Overview.
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Date
2009
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Journal of Scientific Research ,Institute of Chemistry, University of The Punjabi Pakistan
Abstract
Blighia sapida g; family Sapindaceae is a multi purpose medicinal plant
popular in the western Africa. It is well known for its food value and its poisonous
chemical contents being hypoglycins A& B (unusual amino acids.) The hypoglycin Ais
more available in the fruit than hypoglycin B. Hypoglycin A have been used as glucose
inhibitor therapy, thereby giving room for the plant to be used for orthodox medicinal
purposes in future. Its other therapeutic values have been reported as well. The ingestion
of hypoglycin A forms a metabolite called methylenecyclopropane acetyl CoA
(MCPACoA) which inhibit several enzymes A dehydrogenases which are essential for
gluconeogenesis. This review covers history, description, origin and uses of Blighia
sapida with emphasy on the fruit and its associated biologically active component
(hypoglycins) and tries to show why the plant can be used as the sources of many
potential drugs in treatment of diseases, especially glucose related ones. The mechanism
of hypoglycin A metabolism is also explained. The hypoglycin A potential glucosesuppressing activities warranted further studies for the development of new anti-diabetes
drugs with improved therapeutic values
Description
Plant Review
Keywords
Blighia sapida; Sapindaceae; hypoglycins; dehydrogenases; metabolism
Citation
Atolani, O., Olatunji, G. A. and Fabiyi, O. A. (2009). Blighia sapida; The Plant and Its Hypoglycins an Overview. Journal of Scientific Research 39 (2): 15-25.