Researchers of Centre for Advanced Studies in Marine Biology (CASMB) at Parangipettai in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district has developed a new drug capable of curing Type-1 and 2 diabetes as well as having the potential to be an anti-oxidant and anti-plasmodial properties. “It can function as an anti-cancer and anti-HIV drug,” Thirugnanasambandam Ramanathanm  of the Marine Sciences Department, CASMB, told The Pioneer.

The surprising part of the invention made by the research team led by Dr Ramanathan is that the drug has been developed from the fresh leaves of mangroves which are quite common along the shores of estuaries adjoining the CASMB.  Prof  Kathiresan , former head of the Department of Marine Sciences, CASMB, was the one who found out that mangroves were effective in mitigating the effects of tsunami waves which ravaged Tamil Nadu coast in December 2004.

The CASMB and nearby areas were saved from the deadly tsunami waves because of the thick growth of mangroves along the Parangipettai shore and since then the plant was a subject of interest to Prof.  Kathiresan and his colleagues. They planted many varieties of mangroves along the shoreline and it has paid rich dividends now.

The extract from the leaves of mangrove plants were tested in rats administered with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus .It was found that the rats responded to the extracts from the leaves of mangroves found along the Parangipettai coastline. “These mangroves were commonly used ethnomedicinal plants in the area. Our studies found that the plant has hypoglycemic, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and anto-HIV properties because of the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids,” said  Ramanathan .

According to Ramanathan, diabetes mellitus patients can have either Type 1 or 2 diabetes. “Type 1 is characterised by reduced  production of insulin due to damaged pancreatic cells. Type 2 diabetes is caused by increased resistance to insulin unction,” said Ramanathan. He said the rats showed positive results when administered with extracts prepared from the mangrove leaves.

It may take couple of years for the drug to hit the market as clinical trials are a time consuming process. “But we are confident of developing a medicine from mangroves for diabetes,” said S Gurudeeban, one of the researchers in the team.