Abstract: The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of petroleum ether extracts of Gynura medica was tested in vitro. The chemical components of the petroleum ether extracts of G.medica were analyzed by GC-MS.The results indicated that the petroleum ether extracts of G.medica had a very good inhibitory activity,the inhibitory rate was 59.6% with the concentration of 5 mg/mL.Seventeen compounds composed 78.1% of the total peaks were separated and identified.The main constituents of petroleum ether extracts that inhibitied α-glucosidase may be terpennoids.

Key words: Gynura medica, petrolum ether extracts, GC-MS, inhibit, &alpha, -glucosidase