Pterocarpus marsupium is one of the most highly valued trees of Eastern herbal medicine, renowned fo...

1. Using Pterocarpus to Control Diabetes
Pterocarpus marsupium is one of the most highly valued trees of Eastern herbal medicine, renowned
for its blood sugar-lowering effect. The tree's golden heartwood has been found to contain high
concentrations of flavonoids, believed to be the source of the tree's chemical potency. In traditional
practice, diabetic patients were given water which had been allowed to sit overnight in a goblet
made from Pterocarpus marsupium heartwood.
The results of clinical trials with human subjects, as well as animal studies, have confirmed the anti-diabetic
effect of this valuable plant. Researchers believe that Pterocarpus acts by reducing the
absorption of glucose in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to improved insulin and pro-insulin levels
in the blood. In addition, Pterocarpus has been observed to enhance the regeneration of pancreatic
B cells. Studies have investigated the cardiotonic, cholesterol reducing and anti-inflammatory
actions of this important medicinal plant.
Clinical Trials Prove Anti-diabetic Activity
In clinical trials with human subjects, Pterocarpus marsupium has shown remarkable anti-diabetic
action. In two clinical trials, diabetic patients were given no treatment other than administration of
an extract of Pterocarpus marsupium. The first study evaluated both newly-diagnosed and untreated
Type II diabetics. Ninety seven patients were given varying doses of an extract of Pterocarpus
marsupium ranging from two to four grams a day over a period of 12 weeks.
At the end of the study period, parameters were evaluated for all patients. The results showed that
67 percent of the patients were able to reduce and maintain glucose levels by using various amounts
of Pterocarpus marsupium extract. Of this group, 73 percent showed stabilized glucose levels at a
daily dose of two grams of Pterocarpus extract, whereas 16 percent required three grams a day and
10 percent stabilized at four grams per day.
All patients showed a significant decrease in both fasting and postprandial glucose levels. The
average fasting blood sugar fell from 151mg/dl to 119mg/dl, and postprandial glucose dropped from
216mg/dl to 171mg/dl. The study participants also experienced a reduction in mean hemoglobin

2. from 9.8% to 9.4%. Study participants treated with Pterocarpus extract also demonstrated
improvements in common diabetic symptoms without any adverse side effects reported during the
treatment period.
In the second study using human subjects, 22 diabetics, mostly with type II diabetes, ranging in age
from 29 to 70 years old were given a decoction of either two or four ounces three times daily made
from 36 or 72 grams of dry bark of Pterocarpus marsupium respectively for seven days.
Four parameters were monitored during this study: 1) fasting blood sugar, 2) glucose tolerance, 3)
urine sugar content and 4) diabetic symptoms. The subjects were separated into two groups; Group
A with 10 participants and Group B with 12. Group A received a decoction of two ounces three times
a day, while Group B received four ounces three times a day.
Of the subjects in Group A, three out of 10 patients showed improvement in only one area of testing;
glucose tolerance. In contrast, nine of the 12 patients in Group B experienced benefits in all testing
areas. These patients showed significant improvement in glucose tolerance and glucose uremia, and
also a decrease in fasting blood sugar and amelioration of some diabetic symptoms. No undesirable
side effects were noted during the course of the study.
Further Clinical Research
A small clinical trial was carried out with ten patients, who were given 200 ml of the water, which
was stored in the tumbler overnight, twice a day for one month, taken after lunch, whereas water
stored for the whole day was drunk after dinner. There was encouraging reduction of blood sugar
from the second week of treatment and this hypo-glycemic activity continued as long as the
heartwood was given.
In an open trial with two groups, patients were administered either 500 mg of Sassurea lappa twice
a day or 100 ml of Pterocarpus marsupium decoction twice a day after meals for 30 days. Both drugs
were found effective in the management of diabetes and no side effects were observed. I appreciate
you browsing my write-up. If you would like more info on diabetic retinopathy images go to the
subsequent site diabetic symptoms. Its a site with additional information on this topic.There was a
decrease in the mean postprandial blood sugar from the initial 283 mg percent to 241 mg percent
after the treatment period, in patients treated with Pterocarpus marsupium. There was only a slight
decrease in cholesterol levels.
Research
Faiyaz Ahmad, Parwaiz Khalid, Mohammed Mubin Khan, Meena Chaaubey, Anil K Rastogi, and Jalil
R. Kidwai. Hypoglycemic activity of Pterocarpus marsupium wood. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 35
(1991) 71-75.
Indian Council of Medical Research. Flexible dose open trail of Vijayasar in cases of newly-diagnosed
non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Indian J Med Res 1998 Jul;108:24-9.
Dr. MC Pandey, Prof. PV Sharma. Hypoglycaemic effect of bark of pterocarpus marsupium roxb. The
Medicine & Surgery 15 November 1975 p. 21-23.
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