Banaba Leaf Overview

1) Studied Conditions

Banaba leaf has been studied for various conditions, chiefly among them is diabetes due to its potential effects on blood sugar levels. It has also been researched for its influence on weight loss, metabolic syndrome, and antioxidant properties.

2) Efficacy in Treating Conditions

Research suggests that banaba leaf may be effective in lowering blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. There is also some evidence to support its use for weight management and improving lipid profiles, although more rigorous and extensive clinical trials are needed to fully establish its efficacy.

3) Health Benefits

• Antidiabetic Effect: The corosolic acid in banaba leaf can help lower blood sugar levels.
• Weight Loss: It may have a mild effect on weight loss by influencing metabolism and reducing lipid levels.
• Antioxidant Properties: Banaba contains phenolics and flavonoids which contribute to its antioxidant effects, potentially protecting against oxidative stress and related diseases.

4) Downsides

While banaba leaf is generally considered safe, some potential downsides include the possibility of hypoglycemia, especially in combination with other blood sugar-lowering medications. Additionally, not enough is known about its safety in pregnant or breastfeeding women, so caution is advised in these populations.

5) Genetic Variations and Effects

Currently, there is limited research on the interaction between banaba leaf and specific genetic variations. However, individuals with genetic predispositions to conditions like diabetes may experience different degrees of benefit from banaba leaf. As with any supplement, genetic factors can influence how an individual metabolizes and responds to the compounds within banaba leaf.

Banaba Leaf (Lagerstroemia speciosa) and its Antidiabetic Properties

Banaba leaf, from the plant Lagerstroemia speciosa, is traditionally used in the Philippines for its antidiabetic properties. Scientists have been studying this plant since the 1990s, uncovering several compounds that contribute to its antidiabetic effects.

Key Compounds in Banaba Leaf

• Corosolic acid: Identified as an active antidiabetic component, it inhibits alpha-glucosidase and has an IC(50) value of 3.53 microg/mL.
• Penta-O-galloyl-glucopyranose (PGG): Exhibits potent stimulation of glucose transport in cells and anti-adipogenic properties.
• Ellagitannin Lagerstroemin and gallotannins: Found to be effective in various cellular models.
• Valoneaic acid dilactone: A powerful inhibitor of the enzyme alpha-amylase.
• Xanthine oxidase inhibitors: Including valoneic acid dilactone (VAD) and ellagic acid (EA), which are potent and show traditional use in preventing and treating hyperuricemia.

Antidiabetic and Anti-Obesity Activities

Banaba leaf extracts have been shown to stimulate glucose transport, inhibit adipocyte differentiation, and exhibit anti-human rhinovirus properties. These activities suggest therapeutic potential beyond just antidiabetic applications, potentially aiding in obesity management and viral infections.

Clinical and In Vitro Studies

Clinical trials indicate that Banaba leaf extracts, particularly compounds like corosolic acid, can significantly lower blood glucose levels. In vitro assays demonstrate the extract's ability to inhibit enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion, such as alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Studies have developed methods to measure the levels of active compounds like ethyl gallate and its metabolites in animal models, providing insights into the pharmacokinetics of Banaba leaf constituents.

Potential Health Benefits

The antioxidant and cardioprotective properties of Banaba leaf extracts have been highlighted, as well as their potential to prevent diabetes-induced heart muscle cell enlargement. A herbal mixture containing Banaba showed synergistic effects in reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting alpha-glucosidase, suggesting benefits for blood sugar level management and diabetic complications.

Conclusion

Banaba leaf extract and its bioactive compounds offer significant antidiabetic properties and hold promise for therapeutic applications in treating diabetes, obesity, and related metabolic disorders.

References:

1. Determination of anthocyanins and exploration of relationship between their composition and petal coloration in crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia hybrid)
2. Antidiabetes and Anti-obesity Activity of Lagerstroemia speciosa
3. Triterpene acids isolated from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves as alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
4. [Isolation and quantitative analysis of the alpha-amylase inhibitor in Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. (Banaba)]
5. Isolation of Antidiabetic Principle from Fruit Rinds of Punica granatum
6. Active compounds from Lagerstroemia speciosa, insulin-like glucose uptake-stimulatory/inhibitory and adipocyte differentiation-inhibitory activities in 3T3-L1 cells
7. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors from the leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers
8. LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of ethyl gallate and its major metabolite in rat plasma
9. A new triterpenoid isolated from Lagerstronemia speciosa (L.) Pers
10. Inhibitory effects of orobol 7-O-D-glucoside from banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) on human rhinoviruses replication
11. A simple GC-MS method for the screening of betulinic, corosolic, maslinic, oleanolic and ursolic acid contents in commercial botanicals used as food supplement ingredients
12. Antidiabetic activity of a standardized extract (Glucosol) from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves in Type II diabetics. A dose-dependence study
13. Antioxidant effect of Lagerstroemia speciosa Pers (banaba) leaf extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice
14. Antioxidant capacities and total phenolic contents of 56 wild fruits from South China
15. Lagerstroemia speciosa extract inhibit TNF-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappaB in rat cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells
16. In vitro cytotoxic, antioxidative and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory potential of a herbal mixture comprised of Allium sativum and Lagerstroemia speciosa
17. Effect of corosolic acid on postchallenge plasma glucose levels
18. Activation of insulin receptors by lagerstroemin
19. Effect of corosolic acid on dietary hypercholesterolemia and hepatic steatosis in KK-Ay diabetic mice
20. Management of Diabetes and Its Complications with Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) and Corosolic Acid
21. Ellagitannins from Lagerstroemia speciosa as activators of glucose transport in fat cells
22. An extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa L. has insulin-like glucose uptake-stimulatory and adipocyte differentiation-inhibitory activities in 3T3-L1 cells
23. Corosolic acid induces GLUT4 translocation in genetically type 2 diabetic mice
24. Screening of plant constituents for effect on glucose transport activity in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells

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