With the growing
worldwide incidence of diabetes, a new study has revealed that traditional
Aboriginal and Indian Aryuvedic plant extracts show potential for managing the
disease.
With the growing worldwide incidence of diabetes, a new
study has revealed the potential for traditional Aboriginal and Indian
Aryuvedic plant extracts in the management of the disease.
In a new study published in BMC Complementary and
Alternative Medicine, researchers from Swinburne University of Technology
investigated 12 medicinal plant extracts to determine their potential to slow
down two key enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism which affect blood sugar and
diabetes.
“More than 800 plants are used as traditional remedies in
one or other form for the treatment of diabetes, but the management of the
disease without any side effects is still a challenge,” said researcher
Associate Professor Enzo Palombo.
The study evaluated the activity of seven Australian
aboriginal medicinal plants and five Indian Ayurvedic plants against the metabolic
enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase that break down carbohydrates from the diet
into simple sugars. It also investigated the antioxidant properties of these
plants.
Of the twelve plant extracts evaluated, Australian
sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) and the Indian kino tree (Pterocarpus
marsupium) had the greatest effect in slowing down both enzymes.
The extracts of Sandhill wattle (Acacia ligulata),
pale turpentine bush (Beyeria leshnaultii), velvet bean (Mucuna
pruriens) and tar vine (Boerhaavia diffusa) were effective against
α-glucosidase only.
The study further found that wanderrie wattle (Acacia
kempeana) and Sandhill wattle had an antioxidant effect, eliminating free
radicals which are heavily implicated in diabetes.
According to Palombo, the results of this study show that
traditional plant extracts have good potential for the prevention and
management of diabetes, and should be explored in modern drug discovery
efforts.
The article can be found at: Gulati V et al. (2012) Enzyme inhibitory and
antioxidant activities of traditional medicinal plants: potential application
in the management of hyperglycemia.
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Source: Swineburne
University of Technology.
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