Tasmanian bluegum found to demonstrate hypoglycemic properties

Researchers from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lagos State University, and State Specialist Hospital in Nigeria have found that Tasmanian bluegum (Eucalyptus globulus) has hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities. The study, which was published in the African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, shows that Tasmanian bluegum has potential use as a natural remedy for diabetes.

• Tasmanian bluegum, which is commonly found in Southeast Australia, Tasmania, and Nigeria, is widely used as raw material for industrial purposes. Meanwhile, the essential oil derived from this plant is used in aromatherapy and phytotherapy.
• The leaves of the Tasmanian bluegum are rich in phytochemicals like cineol, rutin, terpineol, sesquiterpenes, alcohols, aliphatic aldehydes, isoamyl alcohol, ethanol, terpenes, tannins, and manganese.
• Previous studies have shown that this plant has antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties. However, there have been no reports on its potential effects against diabetes complications like ketoacidosis and lipid peroxidation.
• In this study, the researchers collected extracts from dried Tasmanian bluegum leaves and evaluated their effects on male albino rats with alloxan-induced diabetes. To serve as a reference, they used the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide.
• Throughout the study, the team collected blood samples from the rats to determine their sugar levels and after four weeks, they assessed the levels of markers for oxidative stress and antioxidant activity.
• The results showed that the extracts reduced blood sugar levels and markers of liver damage. Additionally, there was an increase in the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase and a decrease in the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde.

Overall, these results prove Tasmanian bluegum can be used as a natural remedy for diabetes due to its hypoglycemic activity. Moreover, its antioxidant effects help prevent diabetes complications.

The full text of the study is available at this link.

Read more news articles on natural remedies for high blood sugar levels by visiting DiabetesCure.news.

Journal Reference:

Saka WA, Akhigbe RE, Ajayi AF, Ajayi LO, O.eNwabuzor OE. ANTI-DIABETIC AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIALS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS IN EXPERIMENTALLY-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 15 November 2017;14(6). DOI: 10.21010/ajtcam.v14i6.3