Abstract:

Ten varieties of Kalimeris indica (M1 through M10) were selected to determine their contents of β-carotene,
polyphenols, flavonoids and saponins according to Chinese national standards and common methods. The inhibitory activity
against non-enzymatic glycosylation and its relationship with active ingredients were analyzed as well. The results showed
that Kalimeris indica was rich in the active ingredients; of the varieties investigated, M2 and M5 contained the highest
amounts of β-carotene, M3 and M10 contained the highest amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids, M4 and M6 contained the
highest amounts of saponins. Crude extracts from all these varieties were highly effective against protein glycosylation with
inhibition rates between 49% and 71%. The inhibition of non-enzymatic glycosylation caused by either methylglyoxal (MGO)
or glucose oxidase (GO) displayed positive linear correlation with the contents of polyphenol or flavonoid, while saponin
contents were linearly correlated only with the inhibition of non-enzymatic glycosylation caused by MGO.

Key words: Kalimeris indica(L.)Sch-Bip, flavonoid content, protein glycosylation