Lagerstroemia speciosa (Lagerstroemia speciosa): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Lagerstroemia speciosa lower blood sugar?

Lagerstroemia speciosa, commonly known as banaba, works primarily through corosolic acid, which acts as an insulin-mimetic agent. This compound enhances glucose uptake into cells by activating glucose transporters, similar to insulin's mechanism. Additionally, compounds like lagerstroemin and valoneic acid may inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, reducing glucose absorption from the digestive tract. Evidence level C supports these mechanisms, though more rigorous clinical trials are needed to fully establish efficacy.

Can I take banaba with metformin or other diabetes medications?

Lagerstroemia speciosa may interact with antidiabetic medications like metformin, insulin, or sulfonylureas. Because banaba has blood sugar-lowering effects, combining it with diabetes medications increases the risk of hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar). If you take prescription diabetes medications, consult your healthcare provider before adding banaba supplements. Regular blood glucose monitoring is essential when combining these treatments. Evidence level C supports banaba's glucose-lowering effects.

What is the recommended dosage of Lagerstroemia speciosa for blood sugar control?

The typical adult dosage for Lagerstroemia speciosa (banaba) extract is 500-1000mg taken 2-3 times daily before meals. This dosing schedule aligns with the herb's mechanism of reducing post-meal glucose spikes. Standardized extracts containing corosolic acid are commonly used. Dosage may vary based on the specific product and individual response. Evidence level C indicates this dosing range has been used in available research, though optimal dosing requires further study.

Is Lagerstroemia speciosa safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Lagerstroemia speciosa is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is insufficient safety data regarding its effects on fetal development or nursing infants. Additionally, banaba's blood sugar-lowering properties could potentially cause hypoglycemia in pregnant women, who already experience significant metabolic changes. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should avoid banaba supplements and consult their healthcare provider for safe alternatives for blood sugar management.

What are the side effects of banaba leaf extract?

Common side effects of Lagerstroemia speciosa (banaba) include gastrointestinal upset such as nausea, diarrhea, or stomach discomfort. The primary safety concern is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), particularly when taken with other glucose-lowering agents or in individuals with already low blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include dizziness, sweating, confusion, and weakness. Evidence level C supports these safety observations, though comprehensive long-term safety studies remain limited.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Lagerstroemia speciosa, commonly known as Banaba, is a medicinal plant used primarily in folk medicine to treat diabetes and obesity [PMID:39543103, PMID:34225555].

Contexte

Lagerstroemia speciosa is an ornamental and medicinal tree of the Lythraceae family native to Southeast Asia [PMID:39543103, PMID:34367875].

Usages traditionnels

It has been used for many years in folk medicine to treat diabetes [PMID:39543103, PMID:22095937], obesity [PMID:34225555], and kidney-related diseases [PMID:18227906].

Composés actifs

The plant contains corosolic acid, ellagitannins (such as lagerstroemin), triterpene acids (including oleanolic and asiatic acid), glycosides, flavones, ellagic acids, tannins, and phytosterols [PMID:22095937, PMID:34367875, PMID:39338524, PMID:18227906]. Valoneaic acid dilactone has been identified as a potent alpha-amylase inhibitor [PMID:12875243].

Mécanisme d'action

Hypoglycemic effects are attributed to corosolic acid and ellagitannins [PMID:22095937]. Mechanisms include enhanced cellular uptake of glucose, impaired hydrolysis of sucrose and starches, decreased gluconeogenesis, and inhibition of alpha-amylase [PMID:23082086, PMID:12875243]. It also exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities [PMID:22095937, PMID:34225555].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve BMetabolic Syndrome (MetS)

Administration of 500 mg Banaba twice daily for 12 weeks resulted in significant decreases in systolic blood pressure, body mass index, and area under the curve (AUC) of glucose and insulin, while improving insulin sensitivity and secretion [PMID:34726501].

Preuve CHyperglycemia

Pure corosolic acid has been reported to decrease blood sugar levels within 60 minutes in human subjects [PMID:22095937, PMID:23082086].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity studies in rats (up to 2000 mg/kg single dose and 200 mg/kg for 28 days) showed no mortality, morbidity, or significant variations in organ weight, haematological, or biochemical parameters [PMID:35280577].

Synthèse des preuves

Evidence consists of a mix of human RCTs for metabolic syndrome, review articles on hypoglycemic effects, and extensive preclinical animal/in vitro studies demonstrating hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and antioxidant properties.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 39543103 (2024) — Chromosome-level genome assembly of banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.). · Scientific data
2.PMID: 22095937 (2012) — A review of the efficacy and safety of banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) and corosolic acid. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
3.PMID: 34726501 (2022) — Effect of Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) on Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity, and Insulin Secretion. · Journal of medicinal food
4.PMID: 40613623 (2025) — Exploring nutraceutical solutions for prediabetes: a narrative review on the effects of banaba and chromium picolinate. · European review for medical and pharmacological sciences
5.PMID: 34225555 (2022) — Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers., ethanolic leaves extract attenuates dapsone-induced liver inflammation in rats.

Lagerstroemia speciosa

Sources et citations

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