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Pterocarpus marsupium or Vijaysara is a deciduous tree, a native to the hilly regions of India. Flavonoids, present in this herb, could bring down the glucose level in the blood naturally. Studies, conducted primarily in India, have shown that Pterocarpus marsupium helps to repair the damaged pancreatic beta cells. In laboratory studies, researchers have found that Epicatechin, an active compound, present in the herb, helps to stimulate insulin secretion by converting proinsulin into insulin. Compounds pterosupin, marsupin and liquiritigenin found in Pterocarpus marsupium could reduce insulin resistance caused by excess fat build up in the body. (Modak M, Dixit P, Londhe J, Ghaskabdi S, Paul A Devasaqayam T. “Indian herbs and herbal drugs used for the treatment of diabetes.” J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2007 May; 40(3): 163-173. )
Gymnema sylvestre is recommended in traditional Indian medicine for managing the blood sugar level. Also known as Gurmur, which means sugar-destroyer in Hindi, this herb found in the hilly regions of Southern India, boosts insulin secretion. A King’s College, London, study has shown that taking 1gram of Gymnema sylvestre, daily, for up to 60 days, increase circulation of insulin. This anti-diabetic herb helps to bring down the fasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. ( AI-Romaiyan A, Liu B, Asare-Anane H, Maity CR, Chatterjee SK, Koley N, Biswas T, Chatterji AK, Huang GC, Amiel SA, Persaud SJ, Jones PM. “A novel Gymnema sylvestre extract stimulates insulin secretion from human islets in vivo and in vitro.” Phytother Res. 2010 Sep; 24(9): 1370-6)
The leaves, fruits, seeds and seed kernels of Syzygium cumini, also known as Indian gooseberry or jamun are recommended in Ayurvedic medicine for preventing abnormal fluctuations in the blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes patients. Laboratory studies have shown that jamun leaf extract might prevent biochemical changes in diabetics. A Federal University of Santa Maria study indicates that Syzygium cumini leaf extract might reduce inflammation and oxidative stress that worsen the effect of elevated blood glucose level on the overall health of diabetes mellitus patients. Health experts speculate that low-grade inflammation and elevated activities of free radicals might increase the risk of diabetes. Studies have shown that Syzygium cumini could reduce the blood glucose levels by up to 30 percent. (De Bona KS, Belle LP, Bittencourt PE, Bonfanti G, Carqnelluti LO, Pimentel VC, Ruviaro AR, Scetinger MR, Emanuelli T, Moretto MB. “Erythrocytic enzymes and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes: Benefic effect of Syzygium cumini leaf extract in vitro. Diabetes Res Clin Pract”. 2011 Jul 5; Helmstadter A. “Syzygium cumini (L.) SKEELS (Myrtaceae) against diabetes – 125 years of research”. Pharmazie. 2008 Feb; 63(2):91-101 )
Momordica charantia or bitter gourd is a common vegetable used in diabetes management. Studies have shown that bitter gourd extract could heal the damaged pancreatic beta cells and aid their regeneration. In a Malaysian study, researchers found that diabetic rats who consumed bitter gourd fruit extract had lower blood glucose levels and higher levels of serum insulin. (Abdollahi M, Zuki AB, Goh YM, Rezaeizadeh A, Noordin MM. “Effects of Momordica charantia on pancreatic histopathological changes associated with streptozotocin-induces diabetes in neonatal rats.” Histol Histopathol. 2011, Jan;26(1):13-21) Besides normalizing the blood sugar level, bitter gourd might help to prevent the complications linked to diabetes mellitus. According to a study in Malaysia, Momordica charantia extract might improve the wound healing process in diabetics. (Laitiff AA, Teoh SL, Das S. “Wound healing in diabetes mellitus: traditional treatment modalities.” Clin Ter. 2010; 161(4):359-64) An Indian study suggests that bitter gourd juice might prevent neurological deficit in diabetics. (Malik ZA, Singh M, Sharma PL. “Neuroprotective effect of Momordica charantia in global ceramic ischemia and reperfusion induced neuronal damage in diabetic mice.” J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Jan 27; 133(2):729-34) In a University of Lucknow study, researchers found that regular intake of this anti-diabetic vegetable might prevent oxidative stress, which is believed to be one of the major causes of diabetes mellitus. (Tripathi UN, Chandra D. “The plant extracts of Momordica charantia and Trigonella foenum graecum have anti-oxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties for cardiac tissue during diabetes mellitus.” Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2009 Nov-Dec; 2(5):290-6)
Researchers speculate that the anti-diabetic and the anti-hyperglycemic properties of bitter gourd are primarily concentrated in the compound Polypeptide p, present in the fruits, seeds and other parts of the bitter gourd plant. In a study, researchers found that Polypeptide p, isolated from bitter gourd seeds, fruits and other tissues, helped to lower the glucose level in humans when administered subcutaneously. Studies further revealed that ethanolic extracts of Momordica charantia exhibited anti-hyperglycemic activities, which prevented abnormal rise in the blood glucose level, as well as hypoglycemic activities that helped to lower the blood glucose level. Scientists speculate that the anti-diabetic compounds present in bitter gourd maintain the normal blood glucose level by obstructing abnormal activities of certain liver enzymes that help to release glucose stored in the liver in the form of glycogen into the blood stream. (Modak M, Dixit P, Londhe J, Ghaskabdi S, Paul A Devasaqayam T. “Indian herbs and herbal drugs used for the treatment of diabetes.” J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2007 May; 40(3): 163-173. )
Azadirachta indica, better known as neem, is blessed with a wide array of medicinal properties. The anti-diabetic activity of the neem leaves have been proved in a number of animal studies. Besides lowering the blood sugar level, neem might even help to prevent heart and kidney problems in diabetics. Scientists have found that both neem leaf extract and neem seed oil produce hypoglycemic effects in normal as well as in diabetic animals.) Researches suggest that regular consumption of Azadirachta indica might delay onset of diabetes in people diagnosed with pre-diabetes, a condition in which the blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be included in the diabetes category. In an animal study, an Indian research team found that the anti-diabetic activities of neem are comparable to that of the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide. (Khosla P, Bhanwra S, Singh J, Seth S, Srivastava RK. “A study of hypoglycaemic effects of Azadirachta indica (Neem) in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits.” Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2000 Jan; 44(1):69-74
Vinca Rosea, also known as Catharanthus roseus or periwinkle is a popular herb recommended for controlling the blood glucose level in diabetics. Several laboratory studies have confirmed the anti-diabetic activities of the herb. In an Indian study, researchers found that diabetic rats had lower plasma glucose and higher plasma insulin levels after consuming periwinkle leaf powder for a fortnight. Within 60 days, the plasma glucose level of the diabetic rodents was almost close to the normal level. Researchers further observed that periwinkle leaf powder helped to prevent abnormal activities of enzymes linked to glucose metabolism. (Rasineni K, Bellamkonda R, Singareddy SR, Desiredddy S. “Antihyperglycemic activity of Catharanthus roseus leaf powder in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.” Pharmacognosy Res. 2010 May; 2(3)195-201)
The spice that gives the curry its yellow color could even normalize your blood sugar level. In a small clinical trial, researchers at the Shiraz Nephro-Urology Research Center, in Iran, found that turmeric could be used as a safe therapy for diabetics suffering from diabetic nephropathy. Experimental studies have shown that turmeric suppresses activities of Transforming Growth Factor Beta, a protein linked to end stage renal disease owing to diabetic nephropathy. Research indicates that turmeric could reduce protein excretion in diabetics diagnosed with kidney problems. (Khajehdehi P, Pakfetrat M, Javudnia K, Azad F, Malekmakan L, Nasab MH, Dehghanzadeh G. “Oral supplementation of turmeric attenuates proteinuria transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin-8 levels in patients with overt type 2 diabetic nephropathy: A randomized double blind and placebo-controlled study.” Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2011 May 31). Scientists speculate that the anti-inflammatory activities of curcumin, the active compound found in turmeric, might help to prevent diabetes. An Egyptian study revealed that turmeric prevents abnormal increase in the blood sugar level and improves insulin sensitivity in rats on high fat diet. (EL-Moselhy MA, Taye A, Sharkawi SS, EI-Sisi SF, Ahmed AF. “The antihyperglycemic effect of curcumin in high fat diet fed rats. Role of TNF-alpha and free fatty acids.” Food Chem Toxico. 2011 May;49(5);1129-40) Recent studies attribute chronic low-grade inflammation to diabetes. A Skane University Hospital, Sweden, study team found that ingesting 6 grams of Curcuma longa daily helps to increase the insulin level. This beneficial property of the culinary herb might help to delay onset of type 2 diabetes. Researchers speculate that this herb might stimulate insulin secretion. (Wickenberg J, Ingemansson SL, Hlebowicz J. “Effects of Curcuma longa (turmeric) on postprandial plasma glucose and insulin in healthy subjects.” Nutr J. 2010 Oct 12; 9:43)
The elevated blood glucose level produces serious health complications. In an Indian study, researchers found that regular intake of ginger lowers the blood glucose level in diabetic rats. In addition, ginger could normalize the activities of the metabolic enzymes in diabetics. Imbalance in the levels of metabolic enzymes aggravates the health complications induced by diabetes. The study further indicates that ginger extract could protect the kidneys from the adverse effect of prolonged high blood glucose level. (Ramudu SK, Korovi M, Kesireddy N, Lee LC, Cheng IS, Kuo CH, Kesireddy SR. “ Nephro-protective effects of a ginger extract on cytosolic and mitochondrial enzymes against streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic complications in rats”. Chin J Physiol. 2011 April 30; 54(2):79-86). Studies have further revealed that ginger could help to prevent nerve damage in diabetics. (Shanmuqam KR, Mallikarjuna K, Kesireddy N, Sathyavelu Reddy K. “Neuroprotective effect of ginger on antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.” Food Chem Toxico. 2011 Apr; 49(4):893-7) Experimental studies have revealed that oral intake of ginger helps to boost the natural anti-oxidant defense mechanism in diabetic rats. It helped to stimulate production of antioxidant enzymes. This culinary spice might obstruct activities of enzymes linked to diabetes mellitus. (Rani MP, Padmakumari KP, Sankarikutty B, Cherian OL, Nisha VM, Raghu KG. “Inhibitory potential of ginger extract against enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes, inflammation and induced oxidative stress.” Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2011 Mar;62(2):106-10) A study by the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderbad, India, revealed that ginger could delay onset of cataracts in diabetic rodents. It can even slow down progression of cataracts in the diabetic animals. Hence, regular intake of ginger could help to prevent vision problems in diabetics. (Saraswat M, Suryanarayana P, Reddy PY, Patil MA, Balakrishna N, Reddy GB. “Antiglycating potential of Zingiber officinalis and delay of diabetic cataract in rats.” Mol Vis. 2010 Aug 10;16:1527-37)
Tinospora Cordifolia contains alkaloids that mimic insulin. This herb, used in folk medicines for maintaining the blood glucose level, helps to prevent abnormal rise in the blood glucose level after a meal. Experimental studies have shown that Tinospora cordifolia helps to repair and regenerate beta pancreatic cells and stimulates insulin secretion. (Patel MB, Mishra S. “Hypoglycemic activity of alkaloidal fraction of Tinospora cordifolia”. Phytomedicine. 2011 Jun 10) |