Corosolic acid

Lagerstroemia speciosa (Lythraceae) has several common names, which reflect its attractive and colourful pink or purple flowers. Native to South and Southeast Asia, L. speciosa is a common ornamental tree planted along roadsides, and in gardens and parks. The species has been traditionally used in folk medicine as remedy for illnesses and ailments, particularly for lowering blood sugar level, reducing body weight, and as a remedy for diabetes. The current knowledge on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of L. speciosa is reviewed since the species has been regarded as a natural product for anti-diabetic drugs. Triterpenes, tannins, ellagic acids, glycosides and flavones have been isolated from the leaves. Pharmacological properties of the species include antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antidiarrhoeal, cytotoxic, xanthine oxidase inhibition, anti-obesity and anti-fibrotic activities. A more exhaustive review is accorded to its anti-diabetic properties, which have generated much research involving in vitro, animal and human studies.

The insulin plant is a traditionally used medicinal plant and a common member of ornamental plants in south Indian Gardens. Leaves are the most important part which produces significant antidiabetic activity. It reduces fasting sugar level as well as postprandial blood glucose levels. It was found that chewing on one fresh leaf of the insulin plant or consuming 1 teaspoon of the dried leaf powder daily helps in regulating blood glucose levels in persons with diabetes. The leaves of Insulin Plant contain corosolic acid and palmitoleic acid which helps to generate insulin thereby treating diabetes. It is believed that consumption of the insulin plant leaves helps lower the blood glucose levels, and diabetics who consumed the leaves of this plant report a fall in their blood glucose levels. The dried leaves are ready to be steeped just like you make a cup of tea. Boil the water until it is boiling and put the insulin leaves into the glass. Pour the boiling water into the glass which there is some dried insulin leaves. Wait a moment until the water inside the glass turns into brown. In the above studies it was found that the corosolic acid and palmitoleic acid present in the insulin plant have the ability to cure cardiovascular disease and lower blood sugar level. Glycolysis pathway, fatty acid synthesis, drug compounds and drug indication was also analyzed. The drug molecules acarbose and albiglutide present in palmitoleic acid and corosolic acid have good disease curing property.