Studying the leaf extract of the jumping seed tree for treating diabetes

The jumping seed tree (Sapium ellipticum), a plant widely distributed in eastern and tropical Africa, has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes and other oxidative stress-related health complications. A study published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine provided scientific evidence on the use of this plant as a diabetes treatment.

• Researchers from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria looked at the anti-diabetic potential of the leaf extract of the jumping seed tree in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mouse model.
• They also assessed the leaf extract of jumping seed tree, then compared its effects against metformin.
• The treatments were orally given twice every day at an eight-hour interval for a period of 21 days.
• Results revealed that the jumping seed leaf extract significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, although the effects were significantly lower than metformin’s effects.
• The jumping seed leaf extract also increased the hepatic and skeletal muscle glucogens, and improved plasma and pancreatic insulin contents in diabetic mice.
• Unlike the metformin group, mice treated with jumping seed leaf extract also experienced beta cell regeneration in the pancreas, which plays a role in the treatment of diabetes.
• Jumping seed leaf extract contains phenolic compounds amentoflavone, lupeol, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside, which are likely responsible for the antidiabetic effects of the plant extract.

In conclusion, the findings of the study suggest that jumping seed leaf extract can potentially be used in diabetes treatment, supporting its use in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes and other oxidative stress-related diseases.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

To read more stories on natural diabetes treatments, visit DiabetesScienceNews.com today.

Journal Reference:

Ighodaro OM, Akinloye OA. ANTI-DIABETIC POTENTIAL OF SAPIUM ELLIPTICUM (HOCHST) PAX LEAF EXTRACT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN(STZ)-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 26 June 2017; 17(351). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-2013-8