Rosemary vs. Diabetes

This study was quite interesting!

Apostolidis, Kwon, and Shetty (2006) conducted an experiment to test cranberry with various herbs to evaluate phenolic content on diabetes management, pancreatic health and hypertension. For those familiar with the terminology, they were looking for ACE-1 inhibition.

The authors of this study stated the current medication for diabetes can disrupt the pancreas which causes gas and other symptoms as the carbohydrates ferment in the gut. The potential of a more natural solution is less discomfort as the inhibition in the pancreas seems to be less and the blockage of the carbs being absorbed in the stomach seems to be greater (which is the desired effect). 

All samples (cranberry, oregano, rosemary and golden rose/roseroot were in powder form.  All tests were 1 gram of powder to 10 ml water. The combinations were 75% cranberry and 25% herb. Of the three herbs, rosemary has a lower water-soluble rate for phenolics than cranberry where the other two herbs were more water-soluble.

The water extract of oregano had the greatest content.  When combined with cranberry, oregano still had the highest concentration. There were synergistic effects in all three cranberry mixtures as well as a correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant activity.

Golden rose/roseroot, mixed with cranberry was most effective of the samples at inhibiting the absorption of a-glucosindase. The chart shows it was 100% effective both with the cranberry and by itself at both the 100 microgram/milliliter and 200 microgram/milliliter dosage. The cranberry/rosemary mixture was 70% and about 95% (100/200 microgram/milliliter dosage) where rosemary by itself was significantly less effective.

For a-Amylase inhibition, the cranberry/roseroot combination was also at 100%.

For ACE-1 inhibition, cranberry by itself and cranberry/rosemary were about the same and were the most effective at around 65%.  The authors included a chart for the phenolic content for the samples for the golden rose/roseroot and oregano mixtures with cranberry but did not include one for rosemary.

They did note in the text they feel rosmarinic acid is why the rosemary inhibited ACE-1 and that was the highest phenolic content for oregano. When looking at everything, they decided rosemary, even with cranberry was not effective in treating diabetes while cranberry/oregano mixed together seemed a good option. 

When reading the various results from each phase of the study, it’s quite clear more research needs to be done in this area but it does show promise.

Have a Great Day!

Apostolidis, E., Kwon, Y. I., and Shetty, K. (2006). Potential of cranberry-based herbal synergies for diabetes and hypertension management. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 15(3): 433-441.