PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Lagerstroemia speciosa, commonly known as Banaba, is a medicinal plant used primarily in folk medicine to treat diabetes and obesity [PMID:39543103, PMID:34225555].
Background
Lagerstroemia speciosa is an ornamental and medicinal tree of the Lythraceae family native to Southeast Asia [PMID:39543103, PMID:34367875].
Traditional uses
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].
Active compounds
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].
Mechanism of 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].
Clinical evidence
Evidence 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].
Evidence CHyperglycemia
Pure corosolic acid has been reported to decrease blood sugar levels within 60 minutes in human subjects [PMID:22095937, PMID:23082086].
Safety & adverse effects
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].
Evidence summary
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.
PubMed sources
- 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.