Diphlorethohydroxycarmalol, a kind of phlorotannin, is an orally active α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitor with IC50s of 0.16 mM and 0.53 mM, respectively. Diphlorethohydroxycarmalol has anti-diabetic activities.
The increase of postprandial blood glucose levels are significantly suppressed in the Diphlorethohydroxycarmalol-administered group than those in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic or normal mice. Moreover, the area under curve (AUC) is significantly reduced via Diphlorethohydroxycarmalol (100 mg/kg; p.o.) administration (2022 versus 2210 mmol x min/lL) in the diabetic mice as well as it delays absorption of dietary carbohydrates[1].
References:
[1]. Soo-Jin Heo, et al. Diphlorethohydroxycarmalol isolated from Ishige okamurae, a brown algae, a potent alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitor, alleviates postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. Eur J Pharmacol. 2009 Aug 1;615(1-3):252-6.