banaba leaf extract

Banaba leaf extract is derived from the leaves of the plant Lagerstroemia speciosa (commonly known as banaba or crepe myrtle), native to Southeast Asia and used in traditional medicine for diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The primary active component is corosolic acid. Mechanistically, it appears to lower blood glucose by enhancing cellular glucose uptake and improving insulin sensitivity. Additional effects include antihyperlipidemic (lipid-lowering), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities and possible regulation of lipid metabolism via pathways involving PPARs (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors), MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), and NF-κB signaling. While some small clinical studies suggest benefits for blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome—such as reduced fasting glucose—robust evidence from large-scale trials is lacking[1][3][4][6]. It is primarily marketed as a dietary supplement.

Brand names

GlucosolBanabaleanVitacost Banaba Leaf Extract

Other names

banabaLagerstroemia speciosacrepe myrtlecrape myrtleExtrait de BanabaLagerstroemia flos-reginaeMunchausia speciosaMyrte de CrêpePride-of-IndiaPyinmaQueen's Crape Myrtle