( Reports of a traditional Chinese medici...)Traditional Chinese medicine for diabetes has scientific backing

Reports of a traditional Chinese medicine having beneficial effects for people suffering from type 2 diabetesnow has some scientific evidence to back up the claims. A collaboration between Chinese, Korean, andAustralian scientists at Sydney's Garvan Institute, has revealed that the natural plant product berberine could be a valuable new treatment.

Berberine is found in the roots and bark of a number of plants used for medicinal purposes including woundhealing and treatment of diarrhoea. It has also been documented in Chinese literature as having a glucose lowering effect when administered to people with diabetes; yet, until now, its mode of action was unknown.

Garvan scientist Dr Jiming Ye says: "Our studies in animal models of diabetes show that berberine acts in part by activating an enzyme in the muscle and liver that is involved in improving sensitivity of the tissue to insulin ?this in turn helps lower blood sugar levels. In addition, it seems berberine can help reduce body weight".

Current medicines for treating type 2 diabetes include metformin and the TZD group of drugs. However, alarge number of patients cannot tolerate metformin and the TZDs can cause undesirable weight gain.Therefore, it is critical to develop new therapies to treat type 2 diabetes, which is a growing health problem.

"Berberine has been used for decades, if not centuries, with few reported side effects. Given the limitations of existing medicines we are excited to have evidence that berberine may be a helpful new treatment for type 2 diabetes; however, despite its widespread use in traditional medicine practices, it will still have to be evaluated properly following the defined clinical trials process", said Professor James, head of the Garvan's Diabetes & Obesity Research Program and co-author of the Diabetes paper.

The next step is to investigate how berberine activates the enzyme that mediates these 'insulin-sensitising'effects.

'"/>

Source:Research Australia


Page: 1
Related biology news :

1. Traditional models underestimate extinction rates
2. Compound from Chinese medicine shows promise in head and neck cancer
3. Rare Chinese frogs communicate by means of ultrasonic sound
4. Active ingredient in common Chinese herb shown to reduce hypertension
5. FDA approves child-friendly AIDS medicine
6. Making medicine smarter
7. Sensors, a smart dose of medicine for cancer treatment
8. MIT chemist discovers secret behind natures medicines
9. Magnetism and mimicry of nature hold hope for better medicine, environmental safety
10. Report focuses on the role good microbes play in future medicine
11. Herbal medicine silymarin may help sugar-control in people with type II diabetes