Amylase
Amylase is a group of glycoside hydrolase enzymes that catalyze the digestion of starch and glycogen by cleaving internal α-1,4-glycosidic bonds.
Amylase is a group of glycoside hydrolase enzymes that catalyze the digestion of starch and glycogen by cleaving internal α-1,4-glycosidic bonds. The principal human forms are salivary α-amylase, produced mainly by the salivary glands, and pancreatic α-amylase, secreted into the small intestine. Their activity converts complex carbohydrates into shorter dextrins, maltose, maltotriose, and other oligosaccharides that are subsequently processed into absorbable sugars such as glucose.
Amylase is important in carbohydrate metabolism and is commonly studied in relation to postprandial blood glucose and diabetes. Inhibition of α-amylase can slow starch breakdown and may reduce the rate at which glucose becomes available for absorption; for this reason, α-amylase is frequently evaluated together with acid α-glucosidase (AAG), which catalyzes a later step in carbohydrate digestion. Amylase is also a clinical laboratory enzyme, although interpretation of circulating amylase activity depends on the clinical setting and is distinct from the use of α-amylase as a pharmacological or nutritional target.
Where the papers sit
9 papers from the last 6 months study amylase directly · updated from PubMed 5 Oct 2026
Study type 0 clinical trials · 2 human data · 7 preclinical
Themes one subject
Those 9 are all about one subject.
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Carbohydrate Enzyme Inhibition
Dual inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase is being pursued to limit carbohydrate breakdown and improve glycemic control. Work combines synthetic ligands, plant compounds, polysaccharides and silver nanoparticles with docking, DFT, ADME prediction and biological assays. The recurring goal is to identify multitarget antidiabetic agents, while some studies also link these enzymes to Alzheimer’s disease or cancer metabolism. Experimental validation, selectivity and clinical relevance remain open.
Papers
The 9 papers from the last 6 months that study amylase directly, newest first, by theme and by study type. Study types come from PubMed publication types and MeSH headings.
By theme
Carbohydrate Enzyme Inhibition (9)
- Design, synthesis, and computational assessment of bis-oxadiazole ligands targeting α-amylase and α-glucosidase: DFT, docking, and ADME studies. Future medicinal chemistry · 18 Sept 2026 PMID 42755370
- In silico inhibition mechanism of α-amylase and α-glucosidase by fragransinic acid and bellericagenin B, two compounds from Combretum fragrans F. Hoffm (Combretaceae). Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences · 4 Sept 2026 PMID 42696156
- Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of hydroxybenzothiazole-linked benzothiazole/benzoxazole conjugates as potent dual α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors. Bioorganic chemistry · 30 Aug 2026 PMID 42669271
- Nyctanthes arbor-tristis attenuates hyperglycemia: an integrated experimental and computational investigation. Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences · 27 Aug 2026 PMID 42658420
- Inducing Metabolic Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Cells Through Targeted Inhibition of α- and β-Glucosidase and Amylase: Novel Carbohydrate (C8N) Isomers Designed via Intramolecular aza-Michael-Type Reaction. ChemMedChem · 15 Aug 2026 PMID 42603779
- Structural elucidation and α-amylase/α-glucosidase inhibition properties of xyloglucan and RG-I types polysaccharides from tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) pulp. Carbohydrate polymers · 23 Jul 2026 PMID 42493157
- 2,4-thiazolidinediones as dual-target inhibitors against carbohydrate metabolism enzymes in type 2 diabetes. Bioorganic chemistry · 12 Jun 2026 PMID 42284877
- β-Maltose-conjugated acetophenone thiosemicarbazones as multitarget inhibitors of diabetes- and Alzheimer's disease-related enzymes: Design, synthesis, and mechanistic evaluation. Bioorganic chemistry · 25 May 2026 PMID 42184581
- Fungal-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Porostereum spadiceum and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities. The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology · 7 May 2026 PMID 42097278
By study type
Human data, design not indexed (2)
- Design, synthesis, and computational assessment of bis-oxadiazole ligands targeting α-amylase and α-glucosidase: DFT, docking, and ADME studies. Future medicinal chemistry · 18 Sept 2026 PMID 42755370
- β-Maltose-conjugated acetophenone thiosemicarbazones as multitarget inhibitors of diabetes- and Alzheimer's disease-related enzymes: Design, synthesis, and mechanistic evaluation. Bioorganic chemistry · 25 May 2026 PMID 42184581
Preclinical: animal, cell and lab studies (7)
- In silico inhibition mechanism of α-amylase and α-glucosidase by fragransinic acid and bellericagenin B, two compounds from Combretum fragrans F. Hoffm (Combretaceae). Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences · 4 Sept 2026 PMID 42696156
- Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of hydroxybenzothiazole-linked benzothiazole/benzoxazole conjugates as potent dual α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors. Bioorganic chemistry · 30 Aug 2026 PMID 42669271
- Nyctanthes arbor-tristis attenuates hyperglycemia: an integrated experimental and computational investigation. Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences · 27 Aug 2026 PMID 42658420
- Inducing Metabolic Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Cells Through Targeted Inhibition of α- and β-Glucosidase and Amylase: Novel Carbohydrate (C8N) Isomers Designed via Intramolecular aza-Michael-Type Reaction. ChemMedChem · 15 Aug 2026 PMID 42603779
- Structural elucidation and α-amylase/α-glucosidase inhibition properties of xyloglucan and RG-I types polysaccharides from tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) pulp. Carbohydrate polymers · 23 Jul 2026 PMID 42493157
- 2,4-thiazolidinediones as dual-target inhibitors against carbohydrate metabolism enzymes in type 2 diabetes. Bioorganic chemistry · 12 Jun 2026 PMID 42284877
- Fungal-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Porostereum spadiceum and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities. The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology · 7 May 2026 PMID 42097278
Written from 9 PubMed abstracts, each one listed by PMID above. Published: 2026-08-20. Drafted by language models from published abstracts; not medical advice.