New Delhi: A recent study conducted by the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, has shed light on the potential of the traditional medicinal plant Subabul in managing insulin resistance related to type 2 diabetes. This study is significant in the field of diabetes research as it provides a promising avenue for the development of new treatments.

Subabul or Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit is a fast-growing leguminous tree commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions.

The plant’s leaves and immature seeds, both raw and cooked, are a part of traditional diets, often consumed in soups or salads. It is a rich source of protein and fibre. Different ethnic communities have long used it in human and animal food, establishing a deep-rooted connection between the plant and its potential health benefits.

The team examined the therapeutic potential of the seedpods from Subabul in managing insulin resistance, which occurs when cells in the body don’t respond properly to insulin, ultimately leading to diabetes.

The team’s methodical approach involved developing a bio-activity-guided fraction and isolating four active compounds. This rigorous process instills confidence in the reliability of the research findings.

The bioactive fraction showed enhanced insulin sensitisation in free fatty acid-induced skeletal muscle cells (C2C12).

Furthermore, the team found that the isolated active compound quercetin-3-glucoside from the plant showed upregulation of mitochondrial deacetylase enzyme Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), which regulates insulin sensitivity. This was accompanied by the upregulated translocation of GLUT2, a protein that plays a crucial role in moving glucose and fructose across cell membranes. The team’s findings suggest that the upregulation of GLUT2 could be a key mechanism through which Subabul aids in managing insulin resistance.

The study also showed stable interactions of quercetin-3-glucoside with the SIRTI residue via the formation of hydrogen bonds.

The findings, published in the journal ACS Omega, “demonstrated the therapeutic potential of this plant in enhancing glucose uptake, following the ethnobotanical claim of the plant being used for diabetes and related diseases”, the researchers said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

–IANS