Ginseng Berry, Not Root, May Control Diabetes 36196

Ginseng Berry, Not Root, May Control Diabetes

CHICAGO--Ginseng root has been touted previously as a boon todiabetes treatment, but research announced in the June issue of Diabetes(51,6:1851-1858, 02) (diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/current.shtml)suggests the ginseng berry may have stronger blood sugar controlling properties.The berry contains as much as seven times the concentration of ginsenoside Re,the ginseng constituent responsible for controlling blood sugar, according toChun-Su Yuan, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago Department ofAnesthesia and Critical Care.

Researchers injected obese, diabetic mice daily with 150 mg/kg of Panaxginseng extract. On day 12 ... the extract-treated mice becamenormoglycemic and had significantly improved glucose tolerance, authorsstated.

Another benefit noted by researchers was the extract appeared to reduce bodyweight in the mice decreasing appetite and increasing energy expenditure. Themice lost 10 percent of their weight in 12 days, while the untreated mice gainedweight.