Research collaboration between Chinese, Korean, and Australian scientists at Sydney's Garvan Institute revealed that the natural plant product berberine could be a valuable new treatment against type 2 diabetes.

Berberine, found in the roots and bark of a number of plants used for medicinal purposes including wound healing and treatment of diarrhea, has been documented in Chinese literature as having glucose-lowering properties when administered to diabetic people.

Berberine's mode of action and scientific evidence of diabetic benefits have not been established until now.
According to Garvan scientist Dr Jiming:

"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".

Type 2 diabetes is a growing health problem and the current medicines for treatment include metformin and the TZD group of drugs.

BUT, many patients cannot tolerate metformin while the TZDs can cause undesirable weight gain. Thus, there is a critical need to develop new therapies to treat type 2 diabetes.

"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.

Source: EurekAlert

Photo Credit: HEAC