Plant may reduce blood sugar levels

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Feb, 1996

A bioactive compound in Spanish moss that may help reduce blood sugar levels in persons suffering from most forms of diabetes has been discovered by researchers at Purdue and Northeast Louisiana universities. The potential anti-diabetic compound, called hydroxymethylglutaric acid, or HMG, produced significant decreases in blood sugar in mice within 24 hours of injection, notes Jerry L. McLaughlin, professor of pharmacognosy at Purdue. "In preliminary experiments with rats, extracts of Spanish moss showed similar effects, with maximal results after four and seven days of use."

The research team first became interested in the plant after hearing of folk remedies used in southern Louisiana. "Spanish moss has been used in teas by Cajun healers to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes," he points out. Studies done in the early 1970s showed that HMG can lower blood cholesterol levels in humans. "This is especially significant for diabetics, because cholesterol buildup can lead to complications that cause blindness, kidney failure, or poor circulation."

HMG may act by blocking fat metabolism, thus helping to prevent acidosis and ketosis, two other complications of diabetes that occur when the body burns fats and proteins excessively. In this situation, the central nervous system resorts to the metabolism of glucose, and blood sugar levels decrease as a consequence.

Studies on humans have shown that HMG has a low toxicity, which means it may hold promise as a dietary supplement that could be made available through health food stores, McLaughlin suggests. "The cholesterol-fighting properties, along with the anti-diabetic properties of HMG, may make Spanish moss or even HMG safe and simple over-the-counter remedies to help patients manage the symptoms of diabetes."