Evaluation of Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitor (Miglitol) for its Efficacy in Constipation Associated with Diabetes

Objectives: Recently, miglitol emerged as effective α-glucosidase inhibitor for the treatment of diabetic mellitus with specific advantages over currently available class of antidiabetic drugs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of miglitol in diabetes and associated constipation. Methods: Diabetes was induced in Wistar albino rat by streptozotocin given at dose of 25mg/kg, i.p. for 3 days consecutively to develop diabetes complications during next four weeks. The drugs were administered for 4 weeks starting from day 29 of post streptozotocin injections. Food and water intake, fecal parameters were measured on weekly basis. Gastrointestinal transit was monitored by charcoal meal and α- amylase activity was measured in all the treatment groups. Key findings: Treatment with miglitol demonstrated markedly increase in the gastrointestinal transit ratio in the diabetic rats and showed less α- amylase inhibitory activity, which providing evidences that miglitol does not exert constipation in the rats as compared to acarbose, which strongly inhibits the α- amylase enzyme and cause constipation in diabetic rats. Conclusion: These results suggest that miglitol has a potential to be used in the treatment of diabetes and associated constipation.