This invention provides a-glucosidase inhibitors isolated from Oroxylum indicum an Indian medicinal plant. Particularly, this invention provides hexane and acetone fraction of Oroxylum indicum wherein the hexane fraction comprises a-glucosidase active compounds of oroxylin A, chrysin and baicalain and acetone fraction comprises the compounds of oroxylin A, chrysin, baicalain, methoxy chrysin and oroxyloside methyl ester. This invention also relates to a process for the isolation of a-glucosidase inhibitory active compounds from the above said hexane and acetone fraction of Oroxylum indicum. This invention also provides the use of potent intestinal a-glucosidase inhibitors as active ingredients that can be used in pharmaceuticals, food products, health foods and specialized health care foods as anti hyperglycemic agent for prevention and treatment of post prandial hyperglycemia, hyperglycemia and related conditions in diabetes mellitus, obesity and disease conditions requiring hyperglycemic control as well as inhibition of a-glucosidase activity.
