Subabul or Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit is a fast-growing leguminous tree commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions.
The leaves and unripe seeds of the plant are eaten in the form of soups or salads, both raw and cooked. It is a rich source of protein and fiber. It has been traditionally used in human and animal food by various ethnic communities.
The team evaluated the therapeutic potential of the seed pods with subabol in managing insulin resistance, which occurs when the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, ultimately leading to diabetes.
They then screened all fractions for bioactivity and selected the most active fraction to produce a bioactivity-guided fraction and four active compounds.
The bioactive fraction enhanced insulin sensitivity in free fatty acid-induced skeletal muscle cells (C2C12).
Further, “the active compound quercetin-3-glucoside isolated from the plant showed upregulation of mitochondrial deacetylase enzyme Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), which regulates insulin sensitivity along with upregulated GLUT2 translocation,” the team said Glucose and fructose in cell membranes
The study also showed a stable interaction of quercetin-3-glucoside with SIRTI residues through the formation of hydrogen bonds.
The researchers said the findings, published in the journal ACS Omega, showed the plant’s therapeutic ability to raise glucose levels after ethnic claims of the plant being used for diabetes and related ailments.