The study was conducted by Indian researchers from the Annamalai University, who used lab rats to model the effect of kino extract on type-2 diabetes. They published the results of their research in the Journal of Dietary Supplements.
For their experiment, they administered a five percent kino extract to diabetic rats at a dose of 200 milligrams/kilogram body weight. The treatment resulted in the lipid profile of supplemented rats returning to nearly-normal levels.
According to the results of the trial, kino extract could decrease inflammation and hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. The researchers believed the botanical extract could be used to manage blood sugar levels in humans.
"The present study found that the extract exhibits significant ameliorative potential by modulating the lipid metabolic enzymes, thereby controlling glucose and lipid metabolism in the liver of rats," reported the Annamalai University researchers.
Funding for the rat-model study came from Sami Lab Pvt. Ltd, which manufactures a kino extract under the brand name pTeroSol. Sami Labs also provided the researchers with the pTeroSol used in their experiment. (Related: The antioxidant activity of saffron found to help protect against diabetes.)
Diabetic rats supplemented with kino extract showed better parameters
The Annamalai University research team used male Wistar rats in their experiment. They injected streptozotocin into some of the animals in order to induce type-2 diabetes.
After dividing the rats into nine groups, they administered different concentrations of pTeroSol extract to all except one set of diabetic rats, which served as the control group.
At the end of the trial period, the researchers looked at the rats' blood sugar level indicators to determine the effects of Indian kino extract. They paid particular attention to cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipid marker enzymes.
Per their findings, diabetic rats supplemented with kino extract showed lower levels of serum glucose (blood sugar). The specimens that received a five percent extract demonstrated greater reduction than the ones given the lower (2.5 percent) fraction.
Other developments included decreased oxidative stress – considered to be a sign of tissue damage by type-2 diabetes mellitus – and reduced inflammatory markers in diabetic hepatic tissue. Specifically, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) showed a marked decrease.
Kino extract appeared to have altered the activity key enzymes of lipid metabolism and improved the lipid profile of supplemented rats.
“We postulate that Pterocarpus marsupium extract might be effective as a plant-based anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperlipidemic agent without any side-effects,” proposed the researchers.
Indian kino's many uses
Formally known as Pterocarpus marsupium and also called the Malabar kino and Vijasayar, the Indian kino is a large deciduous tree that grows in South and East Asia. It's regarded as a multi-purpose tree because almost all of its parts can be used for a variety of purposes.
The tree itself sees use in agroforestry, restoration of vegetation, and improvement of the soil. Its sturdy timber is fit for the construction of boats, bridges, small structures, and musical instruments.
Furthermore, the Indian kino is considered to be an important part of Ayurvedic medicine, one of the oldest medical systems in the world. The heartwood, wood, leaves, and resins are used as ayurvedic herbs.
The heartwood of the Pterocarpus marsupium tree, in particular, is turned into a traditional medicine.
Learn more about natural ways to manage diabetes symptoms at DiabetesScienceNews.com.
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