Alpha-amylase inhibition kinetics by caulerpenyne

Many algae have important secretions which are generally used for defensive purposes. These secretions have caught the attention of a number of researchers, as to whether or not these metabolites can be used in medical research. Among these metabolites, caulerpenyne (CYN) which is the main metabolite of the Caulerpa species, has had an important place in Caulerpa research since the beneficial effects related to its determined properties (such as cytotoxic, antiviral, antiproliferative and apoptotic) have been demonstrated in many scientific reports. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of CYN isolated from C. prolifera on alpha-amylase was investigated. The inhibition experiments were done with CYN by a spectrophotometric determination method. In order to evaluate the type of inhibition a Lineweaver-Burk plot was produced. The results obtained from enzyme kinetic studies exhibited a non-competitive type of inhibition, which is characterized by the difference of V,. and K from those of the free enzyme, of alpha-amylase in the presence of CYN. The present study showed that Caulerpa species may be a potential target for the production of diabetic drugs in the light of the results obtained for CYN.