Korean angelica, or purple parsnip, found to reduce fat in the liver and balance blood sugar

06/20/2019 / By Michelle Simmons

Because of the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, its prevention and management have become a major global public health challenge. A medicinal plant called Korean angelica (Angelica gigas), also known as purple parsnip, shows potential in lowering blood sugar levels and reducing fatty liver in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Researchers from Chonbuk National University Medical School in South Korea looked at the antidiabetic effect of the root of Korean angelica root extract in diabetic mice. To do this, they treated mice with Korean angelica root extract at 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg), 20 mg/kg, and 40 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg of metformin for a period of eight weeks.

The results showed that treatment with 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg of Korean angelica root extracts significantly reduced fasting blood sugar and insulin levels and decreased the areas under the curve of blood sugar in oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests. Both doses of the root extracts also improved homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistant (HOMA-IR) scores.

In addition, the Korean angelica root extracts also improved fatty liver, lipid levels, and high cholesterol. The researchers explained that the blood sugar-lowering effect of Korean angelica was mediated by the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, Akt, and glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta.

With these findings, the researchers concluded that Korean angelica root extract can potentially lower blood sugar and improve fatty liver in people with Type 2 diabetes. The team published their study in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. (Related: New study shows the powerful anticancer effects of Korean angelica.)

Other natural medicines that people with Type 2 diabetes can try

Aside from Korean angelica, there are other more common herbs that people with diabetes can try. These include:

Aloe vera: Drinking aloe vera juice may help improve blood sugar and lipid levels, as well as acute liver disease. Aloe vera may also be used to reduce swelling and speed up healing of wounds, such as leg wounds and ulcers that are common in people with diabetes. These beneficial effects of aloe vera on diabetics may be attributed to its compounds called lectins, mannans, and anthraquinones.
Bilberry: Bilberries resemble blueberries, except they are smaller, softer, and darker. Research has shown that anthocyanins in this fruit may help lower blood sugar levels. It can also help protect against retinopathy and maculopathy, which are conditions of the retina in the eye that occur in some people with diabetes.
Bitter melon: This green, oblong-shaped fruit is used as an herbal remedy for various health problems, including Type 2 diabetes. It can be beneficial for people with diabetes because of its active substances called charantin, vicine, and an insulin-like compound called polypeptide-p work together or individually to lower blood sugar. The lectin found in bitter melon also helps reduce blood sugar levels by acting on peripheral tissues and suppressing appetite.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon, which is a sweet but pungent spice, can help improve blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity. In a study published in the journal Diabetes Care, researchers have found that it can improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels in people with Type 2 diabetes, as well as reduce risk factors linked to diabetes and heart disease. It can also help slow stomach emptying and reduce blood glucose after meals without affecting satiety, according to a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Fenugreek seeds: Fenugreek seeds also help lower blood sugar because they are rich in soluble fiber, which slows down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates.
Ginger: Ginger may also be beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes as it helps improve blood sugar control in the long run, according to a study in the journal Planta Medica. A study in the European Journal of Pharmacology has shown that it can increase insulin levels and reduce blood sugar levels. This herb can also help delay the development of cataracts, a common complication of long-term diabetes, according to a study in Molecular Vision.