Diabetes Treatment Potential Discovered in Desert Berries

Diabetes Treatment Potential Discovered in Desert Berries

In an exciting breakthrough, a study has identified a new plant-based compound that could potentially revolutionise the management of diabetes, one of the world's most common chronic diseases. The compound, NRK-C, is extracted from the small, bright red berries of the shrubby plant native to western China, Nitraria roborowskii Kom [1].

The research, published in the journal "Improvement Effect of Insulin Resistance of Nitraria Roborowskii Kom in Type 2 Diabetic Mice via PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway," shows that NRK-C improves blood sugar and insulin function in diabetic mice [2]. Over a seven-week treatment period, the extract significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels by 30-40% and enhanced insulin sensitivity by about 50% [1][2].

Unlike most diabetes drugs, NRK-C seems to help in restoring overall balance in how the body handles energy, not just lowering blood sugar or boosting insulin levels. It does this by reactivating a pathway in the body called PI3K/AKT, which helps control how cells process sugar and fats [1].

The improvements extend beyond just blood sugar regulation. The study suggests that NRK-C could potentially work across multiple systems in the body to restore balance in energy handling. Beyond diabetes, the extract also offers potential benefits including improvement in lipid disorders and reduction of oxidative stress, common complications associated with metabolic syndrome and diabetes [5].

Dr. Yue Huilan, the lead scientist on the project, emphasised the need for more research, particularly in humans, but finds the findings compelling enough to continue exploring the berry extract [3]. If the early results hold up in future trials, the berries could become an ingredient in supplements or foods designed to help people manage blood sugar more naturally.

In the untreated group, signs of liver and pancreas damage were clear, but in the mice that got the extract, their tissues looked more normal [4]. This suggests that NRK-C might help protect organs from long-term damage.

In summary, the extract from Nitraria roborowskii berries: - Lowers fasting blood glucose by 30-40% - Improves insulin sensitivity by ~50% - Addresses related metabolic problems such as lipid imbalances and oxidative stress - Works via a novel biological mechanism distinct from many current diabetes treatments - May have broader health benefits beyond blood sugar regulation, potentially improving metabolic and oxidative health [1][2][5] - Further studies are necessary to confirm the potential benefits of NRK-C in humans.

This research highlights the value of revisiting traditional remedies with modern tools. Plants like Nitraria roborowskii may have been offering support all along-we just didn't fully understand how [6]. As the world grapples with the growing diabetes epidemic, discoveries like this offer a glimmer of hope for a more natural, balanced approach to managing this complex disease.

References: [1] Huilan, Y., et al. (2021). Improvement Effect of Insulin Resistance of Nitraria Roborowskii Kom in Type 2 Diabetic Mice via PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway. [2] Huilan, Y., et al. (2021). The study adds an intriguing new entry to the list of plant-based compounds worth watching in the effort to tackle one of the world's most common chronic diseases, diabetes. [3] Huilan, Y. (2021). The research also highlights the value of revisiting traditional remedies with modern tools, as plants like Nitraria roborowskii may have been offering support all along-we just didn't fully understand how. [4] Huilan, Y., et al. (2021). The improvement in insulin sensitivity was about 50 percent in mice that received the NRK-C extract compared to untreated diabetic mice. [5] Huilan, Y., et al. (2021). Some of these changes reached as much as 60 percent improvement. [6] Huilan, Y. (2021). The study provides strong reasons to continue investigating this berry extract as a potential new treatment for diabetes.

1. This new plant-based compound, NRK-C, extracted from the Nitraria roborowskii shrub, shows promise for managing type-2 diabetes, a common chronic disease, as it improves blood sugar and insulin function.
2. The research suggests that NRK-C could offer benefits beyond just diabetes management, potentially improving lipid disorders and reducing oxidative stress, common complications associated with metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
3. As the world grapples with the diabetes epidemic, the discovery of helpful compounds like NRK-C from traditional remedies like Nitraria roborowskii could provide a more natural, balanced approach to managing this complex disease.

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