Banaba

Generic name: Lagerstroemia Speciosa (L.) Pers.
Brand names: Banaba, Crepe Myrtle, Pride Of India, Queen's Crepe Myrtle, Queen's Flower

Usage of Banaba

Antibacterial/Antifungal effects

In vitro data

Banaba preparations have shown antibacterial and antifungal activities in various studies.(Singh 2012, Sinhababu 1994, Sinhababu 1999, Stohs 2012) In one study, L. speciosa fruit extract modulated quorum sensing–controlled virulence factor production and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa.(Singh 2012)

Anti-inflammatory activity

Animal and in vitro data

Anti-inflammatory activity of corosolic acid in rats has been reported.(Yamaguchi 2006) Insight into the anti-inflammatory mechanism of action of banaba may be gained from results of an in vitro experiment in a cardiomyocyte cell line in which an aqueous extract blocked activation of nuclear factor kappa B by tumor necrosis factor in a time-Dependent manner.(Stohs 2012) Corosolic acid demonstrated effective anti-inflammatory activity against arachidonic acid and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate, as assessed in vivo using a mouse ear assay.(Murakami 1993, Stohs 2012)

Protective effects of banaba leaf methanolic extracts were observed in C57BL/6 mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)–induced ulcerative colitis. Banaba extracts significantly prevented DSS-induced inflammatory and ulcerative damage of the colon, reduced lipid peroxidation, and restored levels of innate antioxidants in colon tissue.(Chaudhary 2017)

Antioxidant activity

Animal and in vitro data

Banaba aqueous extract showed potent radical scavenging activity (in a concentration-dependent manner) on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and superoxide radicals generated by a hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system. Additionally, lipid peroxidation was inhibited in a rat liver homogenate system.(Unno 2000, Unno 1997) Further antioxidant activity has also been reported.(Guo 2016, Sahu 2015, Sinhababu 1994, Stohs 2012)

Antiviral activity

In vitro data

A study evaluated antiviral properties and the mechanism of action of Ellagic acid from L. speciosa leaves.(Park 2014) Protection of HIV-infected cells by ellagic acid constituents, possibly via inhibition of reverse transcriptase and HIV protease, has been reported.(NUTAn 2013) One study suggested quercetin 7-glucoside from L. speciosa had antiviral activity against human rhinovirus 2.(Song 2013)

Cancer

Animal and in vitro data

Various in vitro studies report effects of corosolic acid on a variety of human tumor cells.(Stohs 2012, Sung 2014) L. speciosa leaf extracts have atTenuated lung tumorigenesis by alleviating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis during in vivo mouse studies.(Mousa 2019) The molecular docking binding interaction of phytosterol derivatives identified from ethanolic extracts of L. speciosaseeds against breast cancer target proteins suggests that phytosterols could act as promising candidates against breast cancer.(Raju 2021) Quercetin isolated from a methanolic extract of L. speciosashowed significant in vitro cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cell lines.(Sai Saraswathi 2017)

Cardioprotective effects

Animal data

An ethanol extract of L. speciosa reduced myocardial ischemic/reperfusion injury in rats.(Dhote 2020)

Diabetes and metabolic syndrome

Animal and in vitro data

In various reports, the constituent corosolic acid was shown to be a Glucose transport activator, suggesting antidiabetic activity. Further investigations have revealed valoneaic acid dilactone as an amylase inhibitor. The ellagitannins lagerstroemin, flosin B, and reginin A increased glucose uptake by rat adipocytes.(Egawa 2001, Hayashi 2002, Murakami 1993)

Another report noted inhibitory effects of banaba on postprandial hyperglycemia via inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidases.(Suzuki 2001, Trinh 2016)

Banaba extracts have been examined in several rodent studies, with reported beneficial effects on both blood glucose levels and obesity.(Kakuda 1996, Suzuki 1999, Suzuki 2001)

Clinical data

Reviews of medical literature on the effects of banaba in diabetes have identified few quality clinical trials and a number of open-label or small clinical studies.(Miura 2012, Stohs 2012)

In one small clinical trial of patients with type 2 diabetes (N=10), administration of 32 mg or 48 mg of the standardized extract from L. speciosa leaves (Glucosol) (standardized to corosolic acid 1%) for 10 days reduced blood glucose levels.(Judy 2003) In a small, open-label study in individuals with blood glucose levels higher than 110 mg/dL (N=15), 100 mg of a water-soluble banaba extract administered for 1 year produced a significant decrease (16.6%) in fasting blood glucose. Improvements in both glucose tolerance and glycated albumin were observed after 6 months, as well as after 1 year of treatment.(Stohs 2012) A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 24 patients with metabolic syndrome reported statistically significant differences from baseline in fasting glucose and insulin area under the curve (AUC) with 12-week administration of banaba extract 500 mg (standardized to 1.13% corosolic acid) twice daily before meals. Statistical data for comparisons to placebo were not reported, presumedly because no statistically significant difference was observed. However, absolute mean changes from baseline in fasting glucose were −0.2 and −0.1 mmol/L for banaba and placebo, respectively, and for insulin AUC, they were −12,692 and −4,343 pmol/L/min. Remission of metabolic syndrome was reported in 67% of patients (8 of 12) on banaba extract; however, no data were provided for placebo patients. Loose stools were reported by 75% of patients (9 of 12) on banaba extract, which was reported to be significantly different than placebo (P<0.001). Because loose stools was not listed among the adverse events for placebo patients, it is presumed that the incidence was zero.(Lopez-Murillo 2022)

Data from other unpublished studies and reports are generally supportive of a role for banaba in treating diabetes; however, additional quality clinical trials are required.(Stohs 2012)

Hepatic effects

Animal and in vitro data

In vitro experiments have reported that a bioactive fraction of L. speciosa may assist with the prevention of hepatic steatosis through antilipogenesis, anticholesterologenesis, and prolipolysis activity in HepG2 cells.(Tandrasasmita 2021) One animal study suggested developing a hepatoprotective health drink enriched with antioxidants from L. speciosa.(Tiwary 2017)

Obesity

In vitro data

In vitro experiments suggest that bioactive fractions from L. speciosa leaves (DLBS3733) reduce fat droplets by inhibiting adipogenesis and lipogenesis, which may provide an effective and potential benefit in the prevention of obesity.(Karsono 2019)

Banaba side effects

No adverse effects have been reported.(Posadski 2013, Stohs 2012)

Before taking Banaba

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

How to use Banaba

Limited clinical trial data on banaba use in diabetes exist to provide dosing recommendations. Doses of 32 mg or 48 mg of the standardized extract from L. speciosa leaves (Glucosol) (standardized corosolic acid 1%) were given daily for 10 days in one small study in patients with type 2 diabetes.(Judy 2003)

Banaba has low water solubility, resulting in poor absorption after oral administration. A self microemulsified drug delivery system offers a way to improve oral absorption of banaba extract. A self microemulsifying formulation of standardized extract of L. speciosa leaves was evaluated for its pharmacodynamic performance for antidiabetic activity in rats; the formulation elevated performance approximately 2-fold.(Agarwal 2018)

Warnings

No toxicity has been reported.

What other drugs will affect Banaba

A case report describes nephrotoxicity following consumption of corosolic acid from banaba leaves in a patient with diabetes, potentially related to an interaction with Diclofenac.(Zheng 2010)

An extract of banaba inhibited the sulfation of dopamine and ritodrine, with a 50% inhibition at concentrations of 16 mcg/mL and 7.5 mcg/mL, respectively. The bioavailability of drugs detoxified by intestinal sulfotransferase 1A3 may be increased by banaba.(Stohs 2012)

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