New Treatments For Diabetes Include Plant Extracts

Recent studies suggest that there may be a new treatment for diabetes – two plants from South East Asia have been discovered to have anti-diabetic properties, as well as being able to combat obesity. These plants could offer a new and natural treatment for these conditions, which affect millions of people across the world. Modern lifestyles and diets rich in salt, sugar and fat have created a society with numerous health problems – diabetes and obesity are two conditions which are commonly linked to this lifestyle.

Researchers at the University of Greenwich are looking into the medicinal properties of Cassia Auriculata and Cassia Alata, which both have extracts that could offer active ingredients to help remedy diabetes and obesity. Diabetes is found in two forms, type one and type two – the former generally affects children, while type two is the most common form of diabetes and is found in adults. It is often diagnosed later in life, and is manageable through a balanced diet, plenty of exercise and often through losing weight as well.

The team of researchers first noticed that plant extracts could offer positive effects on the treatment of this condition when they discovered kaempferol 3-O-rutinosidehe, which is a plant extract that has proven to be eight times more powerful than the traditional anti-diabetic drug acarbose. The anti-oxidant properties found in these plants can help aid the treatment of this condition. Furthermore, the active ingredients found in Cassia Auriculata work via a process called synergism, which means that it works to produce an effect larger than the sum of their individual effects.

These findings could spell great news for sufferers of diabetes, as it could pose a new healthier alternative for the condition. While further studies need to take place before conclusive evidence can be offered, it paves the way for further research to take place.