Protective Effects of Dietary Chamomile Tea on Diabetic Complications

Atsushi Kato*†, Yuka Minoshima†, Jo Yamamoto†, Isao Adachi†, Alison A Watson‡ and Robert J. Nash‡
Department of Hospital Pharmacy, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan, and Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3EB, United Kingdom
J. Agric. Food Chem., 2008, 56 (17), pp 8206–8211
DOI: 10.1021/jf8014365
Publication Date (Web): August 6, 2008
Copyright © 2008 American Chemical Society
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Fax: +81 76 434 5155. E-mail: kato@med.u-toyama.ac.jp.
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†

University of Toyama.

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‡

Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research.

Abstract

Matricaria chamomilla L., known as “chamomile”, has been used as an herbal tea or supplementary food all over the world. We investigated the effects of chamomile hot water extract and its major components on the prevention of hyperglycemia and the protection or improvement of diabetic complications in diabetes mellitus. Hot water extract, esculetin (3) and quercetin (7) have been found to show moderate inhibition of sucrase with IC50 values of 0.9 mg/mL and 72 and 71 μM, respectively. In a sucrose-loading test, the administration of esculetin (50 mg/kg body weight) fully suppressed hyperglycemia after 15 and 30 min, but the extract (500 mg/kg body weight) and quercetin (50 mg/kg body weight) were less effective. On the other hand, a long-term feed test (21 days) using a streptozotocin-induced rat diabetes model revealed that the same doses of extract and quercetin showed significant suppression of blood glucose levels. It was also found that these samples increased the liver glycogen levels. Moreover, chamomile extract showed potent inhibition against aldose reductase (ALR2), with an IC50 value of 16.9 μg/mL, and its components, umbelliferone (1), esculetin (3), luteolin (6), and quercetin (7), could significantly inhibit the accumulation of sorbitol in human erythrocytes. These results clearly suggested that daily consumption of chamomile tea with meals could contribute to the prevention of the progress of hyperglycemia and diabetic complications.

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History

  • Published In Issue September 10, 2008
  • Article ASAPAugust 06, 2008
  • Received: May 08, 2008
    Accepted: July 10, 2008
    Revised: June 23, 2008

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