A group, led by Tao Xia of the East China Normal University, found
that diabetic rats fed the extract had only 5% less plasma insulin and
8% fewer insulin-positive (beta) cells compared to normal healthy rats
(Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 87(9) 1753-7 2007).
Xia says: 'pumpkin extract is potentially a very good product for
pre-diabetic persons, as well as those who have already developed
diabetes.' He adds that although insulin injections will probably
always be necessary for these patients, pumpkin extract could
drastically reduce the amount of insulin they need to take.
David Bender, sub-dean at the Royal Free and University College
Medical School, London, says: 'this research is very exciting... the
main finding is that feeding pumpkin extract prevents the progressive
destruction of pancreatic beta-cells... but it is impossible to say
whether pumpkin extract would promote regeneration in humans.' He
added: 'I think the exciting thing is that this may be a source of a
medication that could be taken by mouth.'
The protective effect of pumpkin is thought to be due to both
antioxidants and D-chiro-inositol, a molecule that mediates insulin
activity. Boosting insulin levels has the effect of lowering blood
sugar levels, which reduces levels of oxidative oxygen species that
damage beta-cell membranes, preventing further damage and allowing for
some regeneration. Beta cells levels in the diabetic rats are,
however, unlikely ever to reach that of controls, because some of the
cells will have been damaged beyond repair.
Diabetes affects more than 230m people, almost 6% of the world's adult
population, according to the World Diabetes Foundation. The rats used
in this study represent type I diabetes, but the researchers believe
the pumpkin extract may also play a role in type II diabetes.
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