02 December, 2015: Scientists from Italy in a new study has revealed that a plant hormone can play a vital role in blood sugar control and diabetes management. They have found that when the plant and mammal hormone, abscisic acid is taken in low doses, glycemia or blood sugar level in both rats and humans is reduced.
In the study, scientists examined the presence of abscisic acid in plants and fruits and explored the effect of abscisic acid-rich vegetable extracts on glycemia in rats and in humans. Synthetic abscisic acid, an abscisic acid-rich fruit extract, or placebo was administered to rats together with an oral glucose load. Then glycemia and insulinemia profiles were compared. Then a fruit extract or placebo was administered to human volunteers together with an oral glucose load or with a standard breakfast and lunch. Glucose and insulin levels were then compared with and without abscisic acid.
Glycemia and insulinemia profiles from the human oral glucose tolerance tests were also compared with those from 12 normal subjects undergoing a standard oral glucose tolerance test.
Mirko Magnone, Researcher of the University of Genova said that these results aimed at developing new pharmacologic approaches for diabetes prevention and treatment.
Researchers said that this hormone might not be a cure for diabetes, it shall prove very useful in helping to control progression of the disease, as high blood sugar levels predicted the later consequences of diabetes,
