http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17035387/posts/fullTue, 31 Oct 2006 21:22:05 +0000http://diabeticsblog.comElizRiegel@yahoo.com (Elizabeth R)Blogger115http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17035387/posts/full/115061946922205104Sun, 18 Jun 2006 08:30:00 +00002006-06-21T21:44:41.836-07:00<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><strong>Chinese remedy 'treats diabetes'</strong> <br />A gardenia fruit extract used in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat adult onset diabetes is effective, scientists have found. <br />The US team found a chemical from the fruit blocks the action of an enzyme which stops the production of insulin. <br /><br />The research, published in Cell Metabolism, could lead to new drugs, the scientists said. <br /><br />Diabetes experts said the work was in its early stages, and recommended a healthy diet and exercise for patients. <br /><br />Insulin is made in the pancreas, and stimulates cells to take up as much glucose as they need for energy, thereby regulating blood sugar levels. <br /><br />But in people with diabetes, there is too little insulin, which causes blood sugar concentrations to rise. <br /><br />The researchers from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School focused on an enzyme called uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) which prevents insulin being produced. <br /><br />The team wanted to find a way to block the enzyme's action. <br /><br />'Useful tool' <br /><br />One of the team, Chen-Yu Zhang, who was familiar with traditional Chinese medicine, suggested looking at the extract of fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. <br /><br />The extract has been used in traditional Chinese Medicine to relieve the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. <br /><br />Tests on mice showed the extract blocked UCP2's action, and that a chemical called genipin was the active compound. <br /><br />When genipin was added to pancreatic tissue in the lab, it also reversed faults linked to obesity and high glucose levels in insulin-producing cells. <br /><br />The researchers said their findings may lead to the development of new drugs, which would offer a significant advance as there is currently no available therapy for diabetes which targets the underlying causes of disease in insulin-producing cells. <br /><br />It may potentially increase the use of Gardenia extract itself, they said. <br /><br />Dr Bradford Lowell, who led the study, added: "Genipin represents an extremely useful investigational tool for studying a number of aspects of UCP2 biology." <br /><br />Roopinder Brar, a care advisor at Diabetes UK, said: "We welcome any research into a potential treatment for Type 2 diabetes. <br /><br />"However, this study is still in its early stages but we look forward to further investigation. <br /><br />"For the 1.8 million people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, we recommend a healthy, balanced diet and physical activity." <br /><br /><br /><br />Story from BBC NEWS:<br />http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/5052212.stm</div>http://diabeticsblog.com/2006/06/chinese-remedy-treats-diabetes.htmlElizRiegel@yahoo.com (Elizabeth R)