Chemical in Gardenia Fruit Raises Hopes for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Scientific American ^ | June 07, 2006 | Unattributed

[Ben Mugged]

Roughly one fifth of older Americans suffer from adult-onset diabetes. This form of the disease, also known as type 2 diabetes, arises when insulin-producing cells in the pancreas fail to make enough of the hormone, or cells in the body become resistant to its influence, causing blood sugar levels to rise. This surge, in turn, can lead to potentially life threatening effects. The Western medicine chest currently holds no cure for type 2 diabetes, though treatments can preserve and prolong life. But taking a cue from traditional Chinese medicine, researchers have uncovered a specific chemical from the fruit of the gardenia plant that seems to attack the root of the disease.

Researchers Bradford Lowell of Harvard Medical School, Chen-Yu Zhang of Nanjing University and their team set out to find a compound that would block the activity of an enzyme known as uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). This protein helps a cell's mitochondria convert food molecules into energy, but also inhibits pancreas cells from secreting insulin. It appears in high concentrations in both animal and human diabetics. "We think the increase in UCP2 activity is an important component of the pathogenesis of diabetes," Lowell explains. "Our goal therefore was to discover a UCP2 inhibitor."

Zhang suggested probing the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis based on its use in Chinese medicine. Pancreas cells from mice treated with the extract released insulin whereas those from mice genetically modified to lack UCP2 showed no change, suggesting the extract worked by blocking that protein. "When I first saw the results, I was in disbelief," Lowell recalls.

[Ben Mugged]

Interesting that the Chinese have been using this treatment for 2000 years.

[Red Badger]

Old Chinese proverb: Don't knock it til you've tried it..........

[Ptaz]

Makes you wonder what else the Chinese have been doing we should know about in western medicine?

[Lekker 1]

Perfect for the little ol' lady from Pasadena

[Lekker 1]

Reminds me of an ol' Benny Hill joke...

Once upon a time there were two Chinamen.......now look how many.

[Monterrosa-24]

Interesting! First gila monster lizard slobber and now Gardenias!

Amylin Pharm has treatments for Type I and Type II based on a substance found uniquely in the saliva of gila monsters. They synthetically reproduce the harmone and use it in their non-insulin treatments.

[P-40]

the saliva of gila monsters.

They were doing some alzheimers research using this also. I actually remember when the first research grants were given for the study of these critters...and how people laughed at this 'waste' of money.

[50sDad]

"My wife talked to nippless persons."

Who?

"Nicholas Parsons! Aren't you RISTNING?"

Ah, back when we could make ethinic jokes and nobody complained! GO, BENNY!

[radiohead]

the saliva of gila monsters.

I take this new med, Byetta. It has really helped lower my HbA1c to near normal levels. I expect the next test will be at normal levels. And like others taking this med, I've lost weight as well. It has the effect of reducing the appetite. The snacking is way down, and I'm satisfied with much smaller portions.

[LurkingSince'98]

hey radio,

you may want to try the new sulfa drug for overeating:

It's call sulfa-denial. You can eat all you want you just don't swallow.

Lurking

[Badray]

bump for reading later

[neverdem]

[ANGGAPO]

Right on. My wife is using the stuff and it really knocks down the high numbers. The down side appears to be that it makes the user sick for several days before they can tolerate it. But it works.

[rake]

Amazing. There's so much more waiting to be discovered in plants.

Thank God it doesn't also get people high. It would have to be banned for the good of society ;-)

[twigs]

There are other things. I read years ago how they treat burns. They do it immediately--it's also use of a plant--and it helps save a lot more patients than we do in similar circumstances in the west. They also have a lot of junk medicine. You have to be careful.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

So...is the 'fruit' of the gardenia consumed, rubbed on the skin, injected, what ?

[Ditter]

The 'fruit' of Gardenias? My mother grew them and I don't remember them having any fruit.

[Ben Mugged]

Name: Gardenia fruit Biological Name: Gardeniae jasminoidis Rubiaceae Other Names: Gardenia, Cape Jasmine Fruit, Gardenia fruit, Zhi zi Parts Used: Fruit Remedies For: Cholagogue, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, blood circulation promoter. Purges heat, disperses fire, dispels damp heat, cools blood, resolves bruises. Gardenia fruit is used for fever with irritability or restlessness and urinary tract infections. It is effective for any bleeding in the mucous membranes, such as the nasal passages, the bowels, or the urinary tract. For bleeding, the ashes of the calcined herb are most effective; a teaspoon is taken internally at intervals or applied externally. Dosage: 3-12 grams Safety: Gardenia fruit should not be used by those who have diarrhea.

This is from a Chinese medicine site and is not a recommendation by me.

[who knows what evil?]

The Western medicine chest currently holds no cure for type 2 diabetes, though treatments can preserve and prolong life.

Snicker...what BS. My wife reversed her type 2 "diabetes" by consulting a nutrionist; who ran her through a program of diet modification and exercise...all blood sugar readings are now normal, and there is no trace of "diabetes". Her doctor tried like hell to get her on to medication, but she refused. Natch, since the nutritionist was having such success with "diabetes" patients; doctors will no longer provide her with referrals. No money in it, I guess.