Researchers in Malaysia have shown that the plant Cosmos caudatus Kunth contains chemicals that can lower blood glucose levels. These plant-based substances could be investigated further as potential therapeutic agents to help manage high blood sugar in diabetes, a disease that affects 422 million people worldwide. Cosmos caudatus, known as Ulam raja (“King’s Salad”) in Malaysia, is a herb commonly consumed as a raw vegetable in Southeast Asia and is well-known for its health benefits for treating high blood pressure, arthritis, fever and diabetes.
Researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and International Islamic University Malaysia created an extract from dried, ground leaves of the plant using an organic solvent, and then analysed the chemical constituents. They showed that C. caudatus is rich in chemicals known as flavonoid glycosides, which can reduce blood glucose levels by inhibiting α-glucosidase, an intestinal enzyme involved in glucose uptake in the gut. Further analysis is required to quantify exact amounts of flavonoid glycosides present and compare to other sources.
The results, published in the Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, indicate that C. caudatus leaves are a rich source of bioactive compounds, and could be further investigated for development into a botanical nutraceutical product for diabetes and blood sugar management.
News items and features like this appear in the Desang Diabetes Magazine, our free-to-receive digital journal (see below). We cover diabetes news, diabetes management equipment (diabetes ‘kit’ such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring equipment) and news about food suitable for a diabetic diet including a regular Making Carbs Count column. We just need your email address to subscribe you (it’s free, and you can easily unsubscribe should you wish to).
