In this study alcohol–water extract (AWE) of Ichnocarpus frutescens was studied for its α–glucosidase inhibitory activity and antioxidant properties. HAE exhibited the rat intestinal α-glucosidase, sucrase, isomaltase, and maltase activities. Sucrose was administered orally with or without extract to rats at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. The postprandial elevation in the blood glucose level after the administration of sucrose with the extract was significantly suppressed when compared with the control. The antioxidant activity, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion radical scavenging , and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities were evaluated to determine the total antioxidant capacity of the alcohol–water extract. HAE exhibited strong activity in phenyl-hydrazine–induced hemolysis. The total amount of polyphenol compounds in HAE was determined as pyrocatechol equivalents per gram of alcohol–water extract.
