Indonesian Scientists Study Herbal Combination to Tackle Diabetes and Hypertension
00:00
00:00
- Researchers at Andalas University are developing a plant-based treatment for diabetes and hypertension using a combination of locally sourced medicinal plants.
- The study finds that extracts of cinnamon, ciplukan, and Dayak onion may help regulate blood sugar and blood pressure at the same time.
- The research highlights Indonesia’s biodiversity as a key resource for future natural therapies, though further clinical testing is still required.
Jakarta — A research team from Universitas Andalas (UNAND) in West Sumatra is examining the potential of local medicinal plants to develop treatments for diabetes and hypertension, two metabolic diseases that often occur together and lead to serious long-term complications.
The study focuses on a combination of three widely known traditional plants in Indonesia: cinnamon, ciplukan, and Dayak onion, said Prof. Fauzan Azima of UNAND’s Faculty of Agricultural Technology in Padang on Thursday.
The researchers formulated a combined extract from the three plants based on their bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and organosulfur. These compounds are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Fauzan explained that diabetes and hypertension are closely linked metabolic disorders. When they occur simultaneously over a prolonged period, they can trigger oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and organ dysfunction.
“These complications increase the risk of damage to vital organs such as the pancreas, kidneys, heart, and blood vessels,” he said.
He added that natural compounds derived from medicinal plants are gaining attention as alternative treatments. These compounds can help regulate metabolic balance while potentially producing fewer side effects compared to long-term use of synthetic drugs.
Indonesia’s biodiversity offers significant opportunities for developing plant-based therapeutic alternatives, Fauzan noted.
The study found that administering a combination of cinnamon, ciplukan, and Dayak onion extracts was able to normalize both blood glucose levels and blood pressure in animal models with combined diabetes and hypertension.
Interestingly, blood pressure in subjects with both conditions returned to normal faster than in those with hypertension alone. The combined extract also reduced systemic inflammation and helped protect pancreatic and kidney function.
According to Fauzan, combining multiple medicinal plants may produce broader therapeutic effects because diverse bioactive compounds can target several pathological pathways at once.
“This type of research is essential not only to provide scientific evidence for traditional medicine but also to support the development of locally sourced natural therapies,” he said.
The collaborative study involved researchers from Universitas Negeri Malang, Universitas Jambi, and UNAND students. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms, safety, and clinical applications of the plant combination before it can be widely used in humans.
Indonesianpost.com | Antara
