Crete hawthorn controls hyperglycemia and its associated complications

A study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that the Crete hawthorn (Crataegus azarolus) has anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. The international study – a collaboration between researchers from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates – looked at the different therapeutic potentials of Crete hawthorn, as well as its phyto-constituent profile.

• Researchers measured phenol and flavonoid contents using RP-HPLC analysis.
• Different extraction solvents were tests in vitro using DPPH free radicals to determine their scavenging activities.
• To determine the antimicrobial activity of both the ethanolic extract and isolated compounds of Crete hawthorn using in vitro testing on variable microorganisms.
• The antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties of the ethanolic extract, as well as its isolated compound 3B-O acetyl ursolic acid, were measured using animal models.
• The results of the RP-HPLC analysis of phenolics reveal the presence of rutin, salicylic, and ellagic acids. In addition, chloroform and n-butanol fractions were isolated to reveal triterpenes and phenolics, namely: ursolic acid, 3B-O-acetyl ursolic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin 3-O-B methyl ether, rutin, and apigenin7-O-rutinoside.
• Based on the results, ethanolic extract exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenger activity.
• The researchers also found that ethanolic extract, hexane fraction, ursolic acid, 3B-O acetyl ursolic acid, and quercetin 3-O-methyl ether exhibited antimicrobial effects against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and C. albicans.

Read the full study at this link.

Find out more herbs that help with elevated sugar levels at Herbs.news today.

Journal Reference:

Abu-Gharbieh E, Shehab NG. THERAPEUTIC POTENTIALS OF CRATAEGUS AZAROLUS VAR. EU- AZAROLUS MAIRE LEAVES AND ITS ISOLATED COMPOUNDS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 18 April 2017;17(218). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1729-9