Management of Diabetes and Its Complications with Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosaL.) and Corosolic Acid

Abstract

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.

Lagerstroemia Speciosa (L.) Pers Leaf Extract Attenuates Lung Tumorigenesis via Alleviating Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Apoptosis

“…Traditionally, tea made from banaba leaves has been used to treat diabetes mellitus in Southeast Asia [13]. Recently, it has been reported that L. speciosa leaf extract has extensive antidiabetic, antiobesity [14], anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial [12], anti-hypertensive [15], antifibrotic [16] and analgesic [17] effects.…”

Corosolic Acid: A Synopsis on Its Anticancer Properties

“…Pharmacological activities of CA include antidiabetic [4,5], antibacterial [6], anti-inflammatory [7][8][9], anti-obesity [9][10][11], anti-atherosclerosis [7,12], cholesterol-reducing [13], osteoblast differentiation [14], antioxidant [15,16], and hepatoprotective [16,17] properties. Among these biological activities, the antidiabetic properties of CA are well documented [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] with several clinical trials conducted [26,27] and patents applied [28][29][30][31][32].…”

A short-term evaluation of a new insulin-sensitizing product in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

“…Corosolic acid is also able to inhibit the differentiation of adipocytes, making it useful in the treatment of overweight and obesity. It seems also that banaba can lower blood glucose levels, also acts on fat in the liver by reducing the accumulation of triglycerides, which would also have a positive effect on cholesterol (16).…”