| India, Tanzania scientists undertake anti diabetes properties study | Send to a friend |
| Saturday, 21 January 2012 10:36 |
 As many as 10 hybrids of the Indian bitter gourd are being studied for their germplasm and chemical constituents, particularly momordicin, in Hyderabad, Bangkok and Arusha in TanzaniaBy Insight Reporter & Agencies Dar es Salaam. A group of international scientists from India, Tanzania and Thailand are doing a research to find out ideal variety of (karela) ‘bitter gourd’ that could beat diabetes. The global research team is busy unravelling the chemical mystery of the karela to find out whether India's ancient generations were right in their belief that karela fights diabetes. Today, India has the highest rate of diabetes in the world. The city of Hyderabad in the state of Andhra Pradesh has been selected for ‘Project Bitter Gourd’ as it has emerged as the diabetes capital of the country. With the commercial hybrid variety of karela coming in the markets, the true karela which was grown in the backyard has lost much of its anti-diabetes properties. This is because all the hybrid varieties have brought down the bitterness and pungency of the vegetable. Now with this new research, the present search for the scientists is for the ideal karela that was part of original Indian recipe. As many as 10 hybrids of the Indian bitter gourd are being studied for their germplasm and chemical constituents, particularly momordicin, in Hyderabad, Bangkok and Arusha in Tanzania. The higher the content of momordicin, the higher is the anti-diabetes effect. The research team is also finding out if the anti-diabetes compounds present in bitter gourd could be increased to make it more effective. After the study the research team will suggest an ideal bitter gourd variety that will keep the momordicin content intact. The research gains significance as no two bitter gourd varieties have the same chemical constitution and anti-diabetes properties. Different bitter gourd varieties have different levels of bioactive compounds. Identifying the proper bitter gourd is important to keep diabetes away. Along with the Indian hybrids, 10 hybrids from Thailand are also included in project Bitter Gourd that is sponsored by the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre. A senior scientist associated with the project said: “We are screening germplasm and will be selecting the best varieties high in anti-diabetic compounds as well as those with good horticulture traits.” The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that the number of people with diabetes is expected to rise from 177 million today to 370 million in 2030. It adds that 76 per cent of people with diabetes will be living in the developing countries in 2030. The UN agency warns that diabetes will become one of the world’s main disablers and killers during the next 25 years. According to an Indian heart expert, Dr Pujar Suresh, many people in Tanzania are at risk of getting diabetes and high blood pressure due to their poor diets. In 2009, he examined 200 people at the Regency Medical Centre in Dar es Salaam and noted that many patients were overweight with a risk of diabetes. The Tanzania Diabetic Association (TDA) has it in a recent report that the rate of prevalence of the disease doubled two years ago as compared to the situation 10 year earlier. TDA says that the rate of prevalence of the ailment shot to more than six per cent on adult population living in towns. In 2005, it was estimated that there were about 500,000 people, who were diabetic. Diabetes in Africa is known to be a large and growing problem, with the true extent of the malady in the continent not very clear. It is thought that the erosion of traditional diet and exercise patterns has led to a huge increase in the number of people with the condition. Karela, more commonly known as bitter melon, is known worldwide for its miraculous medicinal properties. It is a natural wonder that has proven to be very beneficial for people with a number of diseases, particularly diabetes. Some have also believed that the herb not only aids and provides comfort, or reduces the symptoms, it supposedly cures the sickness altogether. Generally, everything in the plant may be used for medicinal purposes particularly as treatment for diabetes. However, the fruit is the most potent and effective for treatment. Karela contains charantin, momordicine, lectin and gurmarin. Despite its medicinal value, the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) does not support or promote the use of bitter gourd for health purposes. Its communications manager Jamal Butt told Insight this week via email that neither do the Denmark-based organisation funds researches related to the fruit. “The World Diabetes Foundation is dedicated to the prevention and awareness of diabetes in the developing countries. We are a funding agency that supports projects through implementing partners in improving access to care and advocacy work,” he noted in the email. “We do not engage in alternative medicines and operational research as such and linking to traditional medicines etc.” Widely used today for diabetic treatment, Karela supposedly has an insulin action that acts similar to when glucose metabolizes in our body. It stimulates pancreas and bile to absorb and secrete juices properly, so that a diabetic’s body can properly benefit from the nutrients the person needs. It also helps in the digestion of carbohydrate, which is retained in the body as sugar. Karela is supposedly good in lowering the body’s blood sugar level. It is good to note though that the herbal treatment still has to be scientifically proven to actually cure diabetes. For now, it is only seen as a supplement and not the ultimate cure. Proper medical attention must still be done on top of taking Karela, because of the possible side effects if one only completely relies on this for treatment. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
