Plant hormone found to help in diabetes treatment
03 Dec 2015
Scientists from Italy have found that low doses of plant and mammal hormone, abscisic acid, reduced glycemia in both rats and humans.
According to researcher Mirko Magnone of the University of Genova the results were aimed at developing new pharmacologic approaches for diabetes prevention and treatment.
Scientists examined the presence of abscisic acid in plants and fruits and studied the effect of abscisic acid-rich vegetable extracts on glycemia in rats and in humans.
The rats were given synthetic abscisic acid, and an abscisic acid-rich food extract, or placebo was administered to rats together with an oral glucose load. They then compared the glycemia and insulinemia profiles.
Human volunteers were then given a fruit extract or placebo with an oral glucose load or with a standard breakfast and lunch. Levels of glucose and insulin were then compared with and without abscisic acid.
Comparison was also done of the glycemia and insulinemia profiles from oral glucose tolerance tests with those from 12 normal subjects undergoing a standard oral glucose tolerance test.
According to the researchers, high blood sugar levels the later consequences of diabetes, and while this hormone might not be a cure for diabetes, it should prove very useful in helping to control progression of the disease.
The study was published by the journal FASEB.
