03/12/2019 / By Ralph Flores
Researchers from the Middle East found that a species of hawthorn can be used to manage blood sugar levels. In their study, which was published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, they identified Crete hawthorn (Crataegus azarolus), a plant native to the Mediterranean Basin, to have anti-hyperglycemic properties – that is, the ability to lower elevated levels of glucose in the blood.
The team looked not only at the plant’s anti-hyperglycemic properties but also its ability to protect the body against increased levels of fats such as cholesterol in the bloodstream. The condition — referred to as hyperlipidemia — is a typical complication in people with diabetes and can lead to cardiovascular disease.
In the study, they used mice treated with alloxan to induce hyperglycemia. The mice were then divided into groups, with some receiving an ethanol extract from Crete hawthorn leaves while others were given glibenclamide for positive control. Another animal model was also used by the team, this time, to determine its anti-hyperlipidemic effects. They also obtained isolated compounds and extracts from Crete hawthorn and used these to measure its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, as well as its phytochemical components.
Based on the findings, the team found that Crete hawthorn had potent antioxidant properties; in particular, the ethanol extract from the leaf exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, compared with other derivatives. They also found that the plant contained phenols and flavonoids that have known health benefits. For instance, ursolic acid — one of the plant’s active ingredients — has been studied for its anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties, among others. Other bioactive ingredients, such as quercetin, rutin, ellagic acid, and salicylic acid, were also found to be potent antioxidants.
The team also found that Crete hawthorn can protect against a number of pathogenic microorganisms, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. According to researchers, this is because of the plant’s ability to support the immune system in fighting the infection.
“The current study demonstrates the efficiency of the leaves extract of C. azarolus var. eu-azarolus Maire [or Crete hawthorn] in controlling hyperglycemia with its associated complications such as infection and dyslipidemia,” the researchers concluded in their report.
Medicinal plants, for the most part, aren’t just limited to plants that grow in remote regions. Surprisingly, some of the most potent medicinal plants for treating diabetes are those which have been used for a long time.
Find out more herbs that help manage elevated sugar levels at Herbs.news today.
Sources include:
BMCComplementAlternMed.BioMedCentral.com
Tagged Under:
alternative medicine, anti-diabetes, Antimicrobial, blood sugar, diabetes, herbal medicine, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, natural cures, natural medicine, natural remedies, plant cures, plant medicine
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