The mechanism of action of Phaseolus vulgaris alpha-amylase inhibitors involves an indirect approach to weight loss by inhibiting starch breakdown and of sugar assimilation. Alpha-amylase enzyme catalyses the hydrolysis of α-(1,4) glycosidic linkages of starch. Therefore, these phytocomponents are also called as “Carbo-blockers”. Due to inhibition of alpha-amylase the breakdown process gets inhibited and the complex carbohydrate has a higher probability of elimination without being assimilated into the body as storage fat (Le Berre-Anton, et al.,4 1997).
