Protective Effects of Dietary Chamomile Tea on Diabetic Complications

Abstract

Matricaria chamomilla L., known as "chamomile", has been used as an herbal tea or supplementary food all over the world. We investigated the effects of chamomile hot water extract and its major components on the prevention of hyperglycemia and the protection or improvement of diabetic complications in diabetes mellitus. Hot water extract, esculetin (3) and quercetin (7) have been found to show moderate inhibition of sucrase with IC 50 values of 0.9 mg/mL and 72 and 71 µM, respectively. In a sucrose-loading test, the administration of esculetin (50 mg/kg body weight) fully suppressed hyperglycemia after 15 and 30 min, but the extract (500 mg/kg body weight) and quercetin (50 mg/ kg body weight) were less effective. On the other hand, a long-term feed test (21 days) using a streptozotocin-induced rat diabetes model revealed that the same doses of extract and quercetin showed significant suppression of blood glucose levels. It was also found that these samples increased the liver glycogen levels. Moreover, chamomile extract showed potent inhibition against aldose reductase (ALR2), with an IC 50 value of 16.9 µg/mL, and its components, umbelliferone (1), esculetin (3), luteolin (6), and quercetin (7), could significantly inhibit the accumulation of sorbitol in human erythrocytes. These results clearly suggested that daily consumption of chamomile tea with meals could contribute to the prevention of the progress of hyperglycemia and diabetic complications.

Anti–oxidative role of quercetin derived from Allium cepa on aldehyde oxidase (OX–LDL) and hepatocytes apoptosis in streptozotocin–induced diabetic rat

“…Investigations show onion and Quercetin decrease serum glucose level [12 ] but this reduction with onion has been significant [13] . Also Quercetin decreases oxidative stress and blood vessels damage in diabetic rats [14] . Other investigations show Quercetin increases the level of blood insulin and serum Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ [15] .…”

Chamomile Consumption and Mortality: A Prospective Study of Mexican Origin Older Adults

“…It is, however, unclear how chamomile use is associated with reduced mortality. Recent studies of chamomile showed potential benefits in treating hyperglycemia, diabetic complications (Kato et al, 2008;Yeh, Eisenberg, Kaptchuk, & Phillips, 2003) and anxiety disorder (Amsterdam et al, 2009). Other potential pathways include its cholesterol-lowering, antioxidant, and anti-platelet properties which may convey cardiovascular benefits; however, we did not observe a positive effect on cardiovascular disease mortality after controlling for other factors.…”

A Case Study Investigating a Behavioural Intervention to Reduce Caffeine Consumption

“…This may also contribute to any positive effects seen post-intervention it should be noted that had she chosen decaffeinated coffee or tea as her coffee substitutes, she may have successfully reduced her caffeine intake, but the health benefits may not have been as marked as suggested. For example, research has suggested that consumption of green tea may increase cardiovascular health and reduce risk of cancer [35,36], peppermint tea has been linked to reduction in gastrointestinal spasm and disturbance [37] and chamomile tea has been implicated in the prevention of progress in hyperglycaemia in diabetes [38]. In addition, these substitutes, particularly green and chamomile teas are generally consumed without sugar compared to caffeinated beverages.…”