Diabetes: A New Treatment (Glucosol)

Article by Don Goldberg

Diabetes: A New Treatment

Glucosol™ is an extract of the herb Lagerstroemia speciosa L., processed by water extraction and standardized to 1% corosolic acid. Research has shown corosolic acid, the active triterpenoid, to regulate blood sugar by supporting the body in improving glucose metabolism and activating glucose transport and uptake. In addition, it has been shown to support the body in improving carbohydrate metabolism, thereby potentially being valuable in weight reduction programs. Glucosol™ was used in a placebo controlled study involving ten patients experiencing increased blood sugar levels. After a two-week supplementation period using 48 mg of Glucosol™ daily, blood glucose levels dropped 31.9%.

Diabetes has been with us for centuries, dating back to at least ancient Greece. Nowadays it affects 16 million Americans, and it is the fourth leading cause of death, the most common cause of kidney failure, and the principal cause of blindness in adults. Type I diabetes is insulin dependent and affects only 5% of the diabetic population. Type II diabetes, which is non-insulin dependent, usually develops in adults over the age of 40, and is increasingly common. People with Type II diabetes often show no symptoms. It occurs as a result of the decline in cell membrane insulin sensitivity, and is greatly exacerbated by the consumption of refined carbohydrates, lack of exercise, and obesity.

Traditionally, various medicinal plants from India, China and Japan have been used for the treatment of diabetes. The most effective plant extract is from the tropical botanical Lagerstroemia speciosa L., also known as Queen's flower, Pride of India, and Banaba. The leaf tea or extract has been used for centuries as an aid for blood sugar control, as well as for weight loss. Glucosol™ is a unique formulation that contains the extract from this tree, from leaves containing high levels of corosolic acid, the active ingredient.  

Cellular Uptake of Glucose

Dr. Yamazaki, professor of Pharmaceutical Science, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan, has studied corosolic acid. His studies indicate that corosolic acid can help reduce blood sugar levels by activating the transport of glucose across cell membranes; in short, corosolic acid has an insulin-like effect. Glucose transporters are important in regulating the level of intracellular glucose.

Insulin injections are dose-critical and can produce adverse reactions, whereas oral doses of corosolic acid have no known side effects. Corosolic acid, when given orally to rabbits, had a similar effect as subcutaneous injections of insulin. This insulin-like effect of Corosolic acid causes it to be dubbed a "phyto-insulin".

Pre-clinical studies

Glucose transport is a key function involved in the cellular production of energy. Glucose transport through the cell membrane facilitates the lowering of blood sugar, so assisting glucose transport is important for Type II diabetics. Ehrlich as

Read more about Don Goldberg