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| Momordica
Charantia
Momordica charantia
(also known as Bitter Gourd and Karela)
is a tropical plant currently distributed across the globe. Momordica
charantia has been used in India for diabetes and obeisty. The
of extract of the leaves of Momordica charantia was reported
to reveal hypoglycemic activity (lowering blood sugar levels) comparable
to that of Tolbutamide. Tolbutamide is a prescription drug that
stimulates the secretion of insulin by the pancreas.
The
pure protein termed as
P-insulin (polypeptide-P) extracted
from Momordica charantia fruits in crystalline form was tested in
a controlled clinical trial for its efficacy as a hypoglycemic agent
in several patients with Type1 diabetes mellitus. The extract of Momordica
charantia injected subcutaneously into type 1 diabetic patients
had the same blood sugar lowering impact as that of insulin injection.
Essentially the P-insulin ( polypeptide-P) acts on the pancreas,
rejuvenates it and activates the dead insulin producing beta cells.
Momordica
charantia increases the healthy regeneration of beta cells in the
pancreas thereby increasing the secretion of insulin from the pancreas.
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| Aegle Marmelos
Aegle
marmelos is also known as Bael. It is a tree native to India.
The leaves of this tree has remarkable anti diabetic properties. The extract
of leaves have both glucose lowering and antioxidant properties. Oxidative
stress is known to destroy the cells in pancreas leading to decreased insulin
secretion. Aegle Marmelos protects the pancreatic cells from oxidative
damage.
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Hundreds rats were alloxan
induced - a process in which insulin producing pancreatic cells are selectively
destroyed. This lead to shooting up of blood glucose levels
to as much as 400 mg/dl in the rats. These rats were administered with
extract of Aegle Marmelos. After 12 days the blood glucose levels of the
alloxan induced rats fell by as much as 54% |
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| Curcuma
longa
Curcuma longa
has been used in Indian and Chinese systems of medicine for a long
time. It is listed in an Assyrian herbal dating from about 600 BC and is
also mentioned by Dioscorides. Both the East and the West have held its
medicinal properties in high regard. |
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The plant
is a native of southern Asia or China and is cultivated extensively throughout
the warmer parts of the world. Curcuma longa rhizome extract
showed blood glucose lowering activity in experimental alloxan induced
diabetic rats. After 3 and 6 hrs of curcuma injection (10 mg), 37.2
percent and 54.5 percent fall were observed respectively in the glucose
levels. |
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| Emblica
Officinale
Emblica officinalis also
known as the Indian gooseberry and Amla is a deciduous tree
of the Phyllanthaceae family. It is known for its edible fruit of the same
name. Amla is the richest source of ascorbic acid. Gram to gram Amla contains
160 times the amount of Vitamin C as contained in an apple. Amla extracts
showed strong free radical scavenging activity. Amla also showed strong
inhibition of the production of Advanced Glycosylated End products (AGE).
Higher blood glucose levels in the blood form AGE after a series of reactions.
It is these AGE rather than high glucose levels that actually cause secondary
damages in diabetes. The AGEs damage the kidneys, eyes, heart, nerve endings,
reproductive system etc. Amla extract significantly lowers and inhibits
the formation of such Advanced Glycosylated End products (AGE). (Source:
Bio-nutrition Division, Taiyo Kagaku Co. Ltd., Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan)
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| Pterocarpus
marsupium Roxb
Pterocarpus
marsupium Roxb is a large tree that
commonly grows in the central, western, and southern parts of Vietnam,
Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. It has been traditionally used to help
maintain optimum sugar metabolism. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the
plant produced a significant reduction
in the blood sugar level in rabbits. The
decoction of bark has significant effect on serum cholesterol in hyper-
cholesterolemic rabbits. |
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Propterols
isolated from the plant, show antibacterial activity against gram positive
bacteria. Epicatechin was tested for anti diabetic activity in albino rats;
it protected against alloxan-induced diabetes.Pterocarpus marsupium
demonstrates some very unique features, which include
beta
cell protective and regenerative properties as well as blood glucose lowering
activity.
These effects have been reproduced in numerous animal and human trials.
A clinical trial after meals was carried out in 20 diabetic patients and
hypoglycemic activity was observed with no side effects. |
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| Enicostemma
littorale Blume
Enicostema
littorale is an herb found in many parts of India. This herb is also found
in South America and some parts of Africa. Enicostema littorale is an annual
or perennial herb. The stems are often angular or rounded. The leaves are
narrow. The white flowers are arranged in circles in leaf axis along the
stem. The seeds are round. . |
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Hypoglycemic
and antioxidant activity of methanol extract of Enicostemma Littorale Blume
is well established in several studies.. Administration of methanol extracts
to alloxan induced (rats in which pancreatic cells were selectively destroyed)
diabetic rats for 20 days reduced blood glucose levels from 466.50 mg/dl
to 237.20 mg/dl. The extract not only raised the serum insulin levels
but also improved the antioxidant status of the rats.
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| Aloe
Vera
Aloe
vera, also known as the true or medicinal aloe, is a species of succulent
plant in the Aloe genus. Aloe vera grows in arid climates and is widely
distributed in Africa, India, and other arid areas. Aloe vera species is
frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine. Many researches
were conducted on the effect of aloe vera on blood sugar. Researchers isolated
a number of active phytosterol compounds from aloe vera that were found
to reduce the levels of blood glucose and Advanced Glycosylated End (AGE)
products.. |
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One of
the studies on Aloe vera was organized by Mahidol University scientists
(Bangkok, Thailand). Thirty-six patients were given one tablespoon of 80%
Aloe Vera Juice twice a day during 42 days. Another thirty-six patients
from the control group received similarly flavored carminative mixture.
By the end of the trial blood sugar and triglycerides levels in the treatment
group were significantly reduced (to 43% and 45% of the initial values
correspondingly). Cholesterol levels remained unchanged. It is important
to note that no adverse reactions (weight gain, appetite changes) were
reported. Another AloeVera-Diabetes study carried out at the same University
discovered that Aloe Vera possesses the power to reduce blood sugar levels
in patients unresponsive to glibenclamide a medication used to stimulate
pancreas function. In fact, it was reported that Aloe Vera given alone
showed the same results as the combination of the above mentioned medicine
and the herb.
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