Indian Scientists
Discover How Hibiscus May Help Diabetics
Scientists
from Assam's Tezpur University and West Bengal's Visva-Bharati University have
unlocked the potential of natural chemicals derived from a particular species
of Hibiscus that can help generate a better therapeutic agent for diabetes.
According to
International Diabetes Federation, diabetes affects more than 62 million
Indians. Moreover, the World Health Organization claims that it will be the
seventh leading cause of death by 2030. Dubbed as a silent killer by experts
worldwide, diabetes mellitus (Type 2 diabetes), or simply diabetes, is one of
the four major non-communicable diseases in India, the other three being
cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Diabetes
exists in two forms. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body destroys the
insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone responsible for
breaking down glucose in the body for its utilization. In case of Type 2
diabetes, the body stops responding to insulin or produces less of it.
Researchers
found that a phytochemical (plant-derived compound) from the leaves of
Sthalpadma or land-lotus (scientifically known as Hibiscus mutabilis and
commonly called Confederate rose) restored insulin sensitivity of cells and
thereby helped in lowering blood sugar levels in diabetic rats.
"We found that ferulic acid (FRL), belonging to the polyphenols, extracted from leaves of the plant, has the potential to be a better therapeutic agent for diabetes," said Samir Bhattacharya, Emeritus Professor, School of Life Sciences (Zoology Department) at Visva-Bharati in Shanti Niketan.
"We found that ferulic acid (FRL), belonging to the polyphenols, extracted from leaves of the plant, has the potential to be a better therapeutic agent for diabetes," said Samir Bhattacharya, Emeritus Professor, School of Life Sciences (Zoology Department) at Visva-Bharati in Shanti Niketan.
The
findings were published in the Journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research
Communications which states that ferulic acid (FRL) helped in the improvement
of glucose (sugar) levels in diabetic rats within 15 days when administered
orally.
Hibiscus is
a flowering plant found across India and is known for its cottony
colour-changing blossoms and medicinal properties. In Ayurveda, the leaves and
flowers of the shrubby Hibiscus mutabilis are used to treat swellings, skin
infections, hair loss and hair greying.
According
to Beauty Expert, Suparna Trikha, "The hibiscus flower is known as the
prayer flower in Bengal and offered to Durga. It is great for hair loss and its
leaves and flowers have thereuptic properties. It has been used in ayurvedic
preparations for years. We use it in our Basil Hair tonic that helps promote
hair growth and prevents scalp infections and alopecia."
For the
study, samples of hibiscus leaves were collected from the scenic northeast
region. Alak Kumar Buragohain, a Professor at Department of Molecular Biology
and Biotechnology in Tezpur University, explains that a type of polyphenol
found in the plant removes blockages and enables insulin to perform its normal
function of clearing glucose (blood sugar) from the bloodstream.
"In
diabetes, insulin sensitivity is retarded. The isolated compound can restore
sensitivity and, therefore, cells can sense the presence of insulin," says
Buragohain, Vice Chancellor at Dibrugarh University in Assam.
A previous
study led by Samir Bhattacharya showed that a protein secreted by the liver
into the bloodstream (Fetuin-A) hampers insulin activity. "Probably, there
isn't any known inhibitor of Fetuin-A, the protein associated with insulin
insensitivity. By blocking Fetuin-A, ferulic acid restores sensitivity of cells
towards insulin and lowers blood sugar level," said Bhattacharya.
According
to Buragohain, the next step would be to purify the chemicals and assess their
toxicity in the body.
With inputs
from IANS
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