Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) extracts have been used for many years in folk medicine to treat diabetes, with the first published research study being reported in 1940. This paper summarizes the current literature regarding Banaba and its constituents. The hypoglycemic effects of Banaba have been attributed to both corosolic acid as well as ellagitannins. Studies have been conducted in various animal models, human subjects, and in vitro systems using water soluble Banaba leaf extracts, corosolic acid, and ellagitannins. Corosolic acid has been reported to decrease blood sugar levels within 60 min in human subjects. Corosolic acid also exhibits antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities. The beneficial effects of Banaba and corosolic acid with respect to various aspects of glucose and lipid metabolism appear to involve multiple mechanisms, including enhanced cellular uptake of glucose, impaired hydrolysis of sucrose and starches, decreased gluconeogenesis, and the regulation of lipid metabolism. These effects may be mediated by PPAR and other signal transduction factors. Banaba extract, corosolic acid, and other constituents may be beneficial in addressing the symptoms associated with metabolic syndrome, as well as offering other health benefits.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/871495 | DOI Listing |
Biology (Basel)
November 2024
Epigenomic Medicine Laboratory at prospED Polytechnic, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia.
Primary aldosteronism is characterised by the excessive production of aldosterone, which is a key regulator of salt metabolism, and is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Studies have investigated the association between primary aldosteronism and genetic alterations, with pathogenic mutations being identified. This includes a glycine-to-arginine substitution at position 151 (G151R) of the G protein-activated inward rectifier potassium (K) channel 4 (GIRK4), which is encoded by the gene.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
December 2024
Department of Pharmacology, KLE College of Pharmacy KAHER, A Constituent Unit of KAHER-Belagavi University, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Liver cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant diseases in humans and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Angiopteris helferiana was mentioned as a possible anticancer herb according to ethnomedicinal applications. However, the molecular docking and chemical profiling of the bioactive phytoconstituents accountable for the reported anticancer action still require research.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Med Chem
February 2025
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China. Electronic address:
Corosolic acid (CA), a natural triterpenoid, exhibits various biological activities and is often called as plant-derived insulin due to its significant hypoglycemic effects, making it especially beneficial for individuals with diabetes or high blood glucose levels. However, CA has notable in vitro toxicity, low water solubility, and poor pharmacokinetic properties. To address these limitations, a series of CA derivatives were synthesized, resulting in the identification of derivative H26, which demonstrates a significantly enhanced hypoglycemic effect, reduced toxicity, and improved pharmacokinetic characteristics compared to CA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Genomics
December 2024
The Public Service Platform for Industrialization Development Technology of Marine Biological Medicine and Products of the State Oceanic Administration, Fujian Key Laboratory of Special Marine Bioresource Sustainable Utilization, Southern Institute of Oceanography, Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.
Background: Cyclocarya paliurus is a high-value tree, and it contains a variety of bioactive secondary metabolites which have broad application prospects in medicine, food and health care. Triterpenoids can improve the bioactive function of C. paliurus health tea and also improve the efficacy of health care tea.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Control Release
December 2024
Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education (Fudan University), Shanghai, 201203, China. Electronic address:
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