The leaves of the Indian mulberry and white mulberry have been extensively studied for their effect on blood glucose and potential benefits for Type 2 diabetes patients. In a 2003 study published in "Clinica Chimica Acta," researchers determined that Indian mulberry leaves have antihyperglycemic properties, or the ability to normalize high blood glucose levels. Despite these apparent benefits, do not use mulberry leaves to help control your blood glucose levels without consulting your doctor.
Mulberry
Mulberry is a family of flowering, fruiting trees with a variety of different species. White mulberry, also known as common mulberry is native to China and its leaves are the primary food for silkworms. In addition to the blood sugar-lowering effects and potential benefits for people with Type 2 diabetes, the two varieties have also undergone extensive study for their antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering properties.
Hyperglycemia
According to a study on obese mice reported in the November 2010 "Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture," consuming a glycoside derived from white mulberry leaves lowered blood sugar levels, relieving hyperglycemia. Indian mulberry was found to have similarly antihyperglycemic effects in a 2008 study reported in the "Indian Journal of Experimental Biology."
Human Trials
Most of the studies conducted so far on mulberry leaf have been with rats. Among the human trials on mulberry leaf was one published in "Clinica Chimica Acta" in 2001 that compared the anti-diabetic effects of Indian mulberry and a standard pharmaceutical medication for diabetes called glibenclamide. After studying 24 patients with Type 2 diabetes for one month, the researchers concluded that the patients given mulberry leaf showed significantly greater improvement over their glycemic control than those on glibenclamide.
Pharmaceutical Potential
Results of a 2011 study published in the "Journal of Medicinal Food" suggested that white mulberry leaf extract may be used to develop a pharmaceutical food that could be used to normalize elevated blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes, possibly by inhibiting the activity of a group of intestinal enzymes called alpha-glucosidases that convert disaccharides into monosaccharides such as glucose. The researchers found that by giving rats mulberry leaf extract before feeding them high-carbohydrate meals, the usual elevation in blood glucose levels following such a meal was greatly suppressed.
References
- "Clinica Chimica Acta"; Antioxidant Role Of Mulberry (Morus indica L. cv. Anantha) Leaves in Streptozotocin-diabetic Rats; Dec 2003
- Germplasm Resources Information Network; USDA; GRIN Taxonomy For Plants: Morus Alba L.; March 2004
- "Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture"; Effect Of Flavonol Glycoside In Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Leaf On Glucose Metabolism And Oxidative Stress In Liver In Diet-Induced Obese Mice; T. Katsube, et al.; Nov 2010
- "Indian Journal of Experimental Biology"; Hypoglycemic Potential Of Morus Indica. L and Costeus Igneus. Nak.--A Preliminary Study"; V.D. Devi, et al.; Aug 2008
- "Clinica Chimica Acta"; Effect Of Mulberry (Morus indica L.) Therapy On Plasma And Erythrocyte Membrane Lipids In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes; B. Andallu, et al.; Dec 2001
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Mulberry Leaf Extract Reduces Postprandial Hyperglycemia With Few Side Effects By Inhibiting Alpha-Glucosidase In Normal Rats; G.N. Kim, et al.; Jul-Aug 2011
