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Lagerstroemia speciosa: The Queen’s Flower and Its Medicinal Potential
Lagerstroemia speciosa (giant crepe-myrtle, Queen’s crepe-myrtle, banabá plant, pride of India, or “Queen’s Flower”) is a species of Lagerstroemia native to tropical southern Asia. This deciduous tree is admired for its bright pink to light purple flowers. The name “Queen’s Flower” is derived from the specific epithet ‘reginae’ or ‘flosreginae,’ which means “imperial or flower of the queen.” The tree bears beautiful and attractive flowers in profusion, with colors ranging from purple to lilac or pinkish-violet, and these blooms last for many months. Its timber is second only to teak in its strength. The tree is also called Queen Crape Myrtle because its flowers resemble delicate crape paper.
In the Philippines, Lagerstroemia speciosa is commonly known as banaba and is utilized in traditional medicine for its antidiabetic and antiobesity effects. The leaves of L. speciosa contain several compounds, including corosolic acid, ellagitannins, and flavonoids, which have been extensively studied for their health benefits, particularly in the context of weight loss and blood sugar regulation. Although the precise mechanisms are unclear, it is believed that the therapeutic effects may involve increased cellular uptake of glucose, inhibition of starch and sucrose hydrolysis, reduced gluconeogenesis, and regulation of lipid metabolism. These processes are potentially mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and other signaling pathways (Garcia, 1940; Garcia, 1941; Garcia, 1955; Garcia, 1956; Garcia & Melencio-Maglalang, 1957).
Health Benefits and Mechanisms
- Blood Sugar Regulation:
- The hypoglycaemic effect of Lagerstroemia speciosa has been well documented. Corosolic acid, a principal active component in the leaves, has been shown to have insulin-like effects, helping regulate blood sugar levels. This regulation is crucial in preventing insulin resistance, a condition often associated with weight gain and obesity. In a pioneering study by Garcia (1940), the hypoglycemic effect of L. speciosa leaves was observed following oral administration. Further studies supported these findings, demonstrating a significant reduction in blood glucose levels, with one study noting a 30% decrease after two weeks of treatment with an extract standardized to 1% corosolic acid (Garcia, 1956). In another study, researchers found that L. speciosa extract could reduce blood sugar by up to 40% within one hour (Garcia, 1941).
- Weight Loss Support:
- The weight loss potential of L. speciosa is another well-researched area. The bioactive compounds in L. speciosa, including ellagitannins and flavonoids, may contribute to weight management by regulating blood sugar levels and affecting appetite. Studies on mice have shown that L. speciosa extract can boost metabolism, leading to increased energy expenditure and weight loss (Suzuki et al., 1999). Another study found that the extract decreased the size and number of fat cells in rats, leading to a reduction in body fat (Hattori et al., 2003). Human studies have shown that supplementation with L. speciosa can reduce appetite and food intake, with participants in one trial reporting a significant decrease in appetite compared to those on a placebo (Garcia & Melencio-Maglalang, 1957).
- Lipid and Glucose Metabolism:
- Beyond its effects on blood sugar and weight management, Lagerstroemia speciosa has been shown to influence lipid metabolism. Research on genetically diabetic KK-AY mice demonstrated that L. speciosa extracts could decrease hepatic lipid content, prevent glucose elevation, and reduce plasma total cholesterol (Kakuda et al., 1996). These effects are thought to be mediated through complex metabolic pathways involving PPAR, MAPK, and NF-κB (Hayashi et al., 2002; Hattori et al., 2003). Additionally, studies have highlighted the role of ellagitannins in enhancing glucose transport activity in fat cells, further supporting the antidiabetic potential of L. speciosa (Murakami et al., 1993; Hayashi et al., 2002).
Conclusion
Lagerstroemia speciosa is not only a tree of ornamental beauty but also a plant with significant medicinal potential. Its ability to regulate blood sugar, aid in weight loss, and positively influence lipid metabolism makes it a valuable natural remedy in traditional medicine. While the current research is promising, further studies are needed to fully understand the effects of L. speciosa and determine the optimal dosage for human use. As with any supplement, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating L. speciosa into your diet.
- Garcia F. On the hypoglycemic effect of decoction of Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves (banaba) administered orally. J Phil Med Assoc 1940;20:395–402.
- Garcia F. Distribution and deterioration of insulin-like principle in Lagerstroemia speciosa (banaba). Acta Med Philippina 1941;3:99–104.
- Garcia F. Plantisul compared with insulin. J Phil Med Assoc 1955;31(6):276–82.
- Garcia F. Plantisul tablets in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. J Phil Med Assoc 1956;31:216–24.
- Garcia F, Melencio-Maglalang P. Application of banabins (a plantisul preparation) and S.B. menus to diabetics. J Phil Med Assoc 1957;33(1):7–15.
- Kakuda T, Sakane I, Takihara T, Ozaki Y, Takeuchi H, Kuroyanagi M. Hypoglycemic effect of extracts from Lagerstroemia speciosa L. leaves in genetically diabetic KK-AY mice. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 1996;60(2):204–8.
- Suzuki Y, Unno T, Ushitani M, Hayashi K, Kakuda T. Antiobesity activity of extracts from Lagerstroemia speciosa L leaves on female KK-Ay mice. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo)1999;45(6):791–5.
- Murakami C, Myoga K, Kasai R, Ohtani K, Kurokawa T, Ishibashi S, et al. Screening of plant constituents for effect on glucose transport activity in Ehrlich Ascites tumor cells. Chem Pharm Bull 1993;41(12):2129–31.
- Hayashi T, Maruyama H, Kasai R, Hattori K, Takasuga S, Hazeki O, et al. Ellagitannins from Lagerstroemia speciosa as activators of glucose transport in fat cells. Planta Med 2002; 68(2):173–5.
- Hattori K, Sukenobu N, Sasaki T, Takasuga S, Hayashi T, Kasai R, et al. Activation of insulin receptors by lagerstroemin. J Pharmacol Sci 2003;93(1):69–73.
- Guy Klein1, Jaekyung Kim2, Klaus Himmeldirk3, Yanyan Cao4,5 and Xiaozhuo Chen1,2,4,5,Antidiabetes and Anti-obesity Activity of Lagerstroemia speciosa 1College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2Edison Biotechnology Institute, 3Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 4The Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, 5Department of Biological Science and 6Department of Biomedical Science, Ohio University, USA
