Using Pterocarpus to Control Diabetes
Pterocarpus Marsupium Lowers Blood Sugar Safely and Effectively
Pterocarpus marsupium is one of the most highly valued trees of Eastern herbal medicine, renowned for its blood sugar-lowering effect. The tree’s golden heartwood has been found to contain high concentrations of flavonoids, believed to be the source of the tree’s chemical potency. In traditional practice, diabetic patients were given water which had been allowed to sit overnight in a goblet made from Pterocarpus marsupium heartwood.
The results of clinical trials with human subjects, as well as animal studies, have confirmed the anti-diabetic effect of this valuable plant. Researchers believe that Pterocarpus acts by reducing the absorption of glucose in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to improved insulin and pro-insulin levels in the blood. In addition, Pterocarpus has been observed to enhance the regeneration of pancreatic B cells. Studies have investigated the cardiotonic, cholesterol reducing and anti-inflammatory actions of this important medicinal plant.
Clinical Trials Prove Anti-diabetic Activity
In clinical trials with human subjects, Pterocarpus marsupium has shown remarkable anti-diabetic action. In two clinical trials, diabetic patients were given no treatment other than administration of an extract of Pterocarpus marsupium. The first study evaluated both newly-diagnosed and untreated Type II diabetics. Ninety seven patients were given varying doses of an extract of Pterocarpus marsupium ranging from two to four grams a day over a period of 12 weeks.
At the end of the study period, parameters were evaluated for all patients. The results showed that 67 percent of the patients were able to reduce and maintain glucose levels by using various amounts of Pterocarpus marsupium extract. Of this group, 73 percent showed stabilized glucose levels at a daily dose of two grams of Pterocarpus extract, whereas 16 percent required three grams a day and 10 percent stabilized at four grams per day.
All patients showed a significant decrease in both fasting and postprandial glucose levels. The average fasting blood sugar fell from 151mg/dl to 119mg/dl, and postprandial glucose dropped from 216mg/dl to 171mg/dl. The study participants also experienced a reduction in mean hemoglobin from 9.8% to 9.4%. Study participants treated with Pterocarpus extract also demonstrated improvements in common diabetic symptoms without any adverse side effects reported during the treatment period.
In the second study using human subjects, 22 diabetics, mostly with type II diabetes, ranging in age from 29 to 70 years old were given a decoction of either two or four ounces three times daily made from 36 or 72 grams of dry bark of Pterocarpus marsupium respectively for seven days.
Four parameters were monitored during this study: 1) fasting blood sugar, 2) glucose tolerance, 3) urine sugar content and 4) diabetic symptoms. The subjects were separated into two groups; Group A with 10 participants and Group B with 12. Group A received a decoction of two ounces three times a day, while Group B received four ounces three times a day.
Of the subjects in Group A, three out of 10 patients showed improvement in only one area of testing; glucose tolerance. In contrast, nine of the 12 patients in Group B experienced benefits in all testing areas. These patients showed significant improvement in glucose tolerance and glucose uremia, and also a decrease in fasting blood sugar and amelioration of some diabetic symptoms. No undesirable side effects were noted during the course of the study.
Further Clinical Research
A small clinical trial was carried out with ten patients, who were given 200 ml of the water, which was stored in the tumbler overnight, twice a day for one month, taken after lunch, whereas water stored for the whole day was drunk after dinner. There was encouraging reduction of blood sugar from the second week of treatment and this hypo-glycemic activity continued as long as the heartwood was given.
In an open trial with two groups, patients were administered either 500 mg of Sassurea lappa twice a day or 100 ml of Pterocarpus marsupium decoction twice a day after meals for 30 days. Both drugs were found effective in the management of diabetes and no side effects were observed. There was a decrease in the mean postprandial blood sugar from the initial 283 mg percent to 241 mg percent after the treatment period, in patients treated with Pterocarpus marsupium. There was only a slight decrease in cholesterol levels.
Research
Faiyaz Ahmad, Parwaiz Khalid, Mohammed Mubin Khan, Meena Chaaubey, Anil K Rastogi, and Jalil R. Kidwai. Hypoglycemic activity of Pterocarpus marsupium wood. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 35 (1991) 71-75.
Indian Council of Medical Research. Flexible dose open trail of Vijayasar in cases of newly-diagnosed non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Indian J Med Res 1998 Jul;108:24-9.
Dr. MC Pandey, Prof. PV Sharma. Hypoglycaemic effect of bark of pterocarpus marsupium roxb. The Medicine & Surgery 15 November 1975 p. 21-23.
Pterocarpus Marsupium Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
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