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Monday, July 2, 2012

Plants help treat diabetes

SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

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The research looked into how well traditional Indian Ayurvedic and Aboriginal plants, such as the iconic Australian wattle pictured, could slow down the breakdown of carbohydrates, as well as their antioxidant properties.

Image: -nelis-/iStockphoto

With the growing worldwide incidence of diabetes, a new study reveals that traditional Aboriginal and Indian plant extracts show potential for managing the disease.

Researchers from Swinburne University of Technology have investigated 12 medicinal plant extracts to determine their potential to slow down two key enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism which affect blood sugar and diabetes.

"Diabetes represents a global public health burden, with the World Health Organisation estimating that more than 180 million people worldwide currently suffer from the disease," said researcher Associate Professor Enzo Palombo.

"More than 800 plants are used as traditional remedies in one or other form for the treatment of diabetes, but the management of the disease without any side effects is still a challenge."

He said that modern drug discovery efforts included exploring traditional compounds from natural sources in the treatment of disease.

"The results obtained in this study showed that most of the traditional plant extracts have good potential for the prevention and management of diabetes."

The study evaluated the activity of seven Australian aboriginal medicinal plants and five Indian Ayurvedic plants against the metabolic enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase that break down carbohydrates from the diet into simple sugars. It also investigated the antioxidant properties of these plants.

Of the twelve plant extracts evaluated, Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) and the Indian kino tree (Pterocarpus marsupium) had the greatest effect in slowing down both enzymes.

The extracts of Sandhill wattle (Acacia ligulata), pale turpentine bush (Beyeria leshnaultii), velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and tar vine (Boerhaavia diffusa) were effective against α-glucosidase only.

The study further found that wanderrie wattle (Acacia kempeana) and Sandhill wattle had an antioxidant effect, eliminating free radicals which are heavily implicated in diabetes.

Their findings are published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.

Nathan Walsh Paintings

About Nathan Walsh the artist.

Biography

Since a young age, my imagination has inspired me to create art that is aesthetically appealing as well as meaningful to me and those around me. Building on this foundation, I further grew as an artist studying at the University of Minnesota where my work was recognized through scholarships and awards. My academic work consisted of mostly realistic/figurative paintings with interlaced with dark or humorous social commentary. Since graduation, graphic design has been my occupation but I continue to put much of my energy into painting, hoping to make a career doing what I love most.

Artist Statement

I feel that I am an artist with broad range. Over the years I have employed my drawing and painting skills to create a diverse body of work that demonstrates a flexibility of style as well as technical control. My paintings vary from photo-realisms to bold landscapes to strange surrealisms. I have been told that I have a flare for turning the mundane into something unique and thought-provoking. Currently I have been focusing on allowing my own signature style to come through my work naturally. It is my goal to create paintings that will be recognized as "Nathan Walsh originals."