Spinach extract may aid wound healing in diabetes, animal study shows
Spinach extract may aid in healing wounds in rats that are similar to those experienced by people who suffer from diabetes, according to the latest study.
Spinach is awash in substances that could have triggered this effect, such as antioxidants, vitamins glutamine, zinc, and others; however, the mechanism by which it can enable spinach extract to aid in the healing of wounds isn’t clear.
The most powerful wound-healing benefit was observed in rat models that received spinach extract prior to when the ulcers were prickly.
A recent study on rodents suggests extracts from the spinach, Spinacia oleracea could aid in healing of diabetic ulcers.
Hypertrophic ulcers caused by diabetes are a significant issue for those suffering from diabetes that can last for months or even years. Around 15% of those suffering from diabetes suffer from lower extremity ulcers that do not heal, usually which can lead to the need for amputation. Chronic diabetic ulcers affect about 6.3%Trusted Source of the globe’s people.
A brand new study that was published in Scientific ReportsTrusted Source discovered that spinach extract could aid in the healing process of wounds caused by diabetes and help in weight loss, which is beneficial for those suffering from the condition who are usually overweight.
Medical NEWS Today’s NEWSLETTERSign to receive our diabetes newsletter for the week.
Join our other subscribers and receive our daily diabetes newsletter for tips on how to eat carefully, the latest news about research breakthroughs, and much more.
Both alcohol and water-based extracts are effective
The study examined the effectiveness of two varieties of extracts from spinach. It was one that is water-based (aquatic) while the other one was alcohol-based. Both were believed to promote healing, although the alcohol-based extract did have a slight edge.
The study included 72 adult rats split into 6 groups
Group A – rats suffering from diabetes that received 300 milligrams of tube-fed glucose for each kg (mg/kg) amount of the saline solution for a period of one month.
Group B — rats that did not have diabetes, fed via tube 300 mg/kg of Saline for a period of one month.
The group C rats suffering from diabetes fed by tube with 300 mg/kg S. Olracea extract from the aquatics for a whole month
The group D rats are with no diabetes that were fed via tube 300 mg/kg S. Olracea alcoholic extract for a whole month
Group E: rats that were not diabetics who received 300 mg/kg S. Oleracea water extract for a month, then exposed to diabetes by researchers, and then fed tube-fed 300 mg/kg S. oleracea extracts from the water for a second month
The rats in Group F were that did not have diabetes, who were fed 300 mg/kg S. Oleracea alcohol extract for a month, then exposed to diabetes by researchers, and then fed tube-fed 300 mg/kg S. Oleracea alcohol extract for another month.
The study revealed the highest, most rapid healing of wounds in Groups E and F, which were rats that were given two months’ worth of extracts from spinach both before and after the introduction of diabetes mellitus.
The variations in certain indicators of wound healing were not important at the conclusion of the study because wound healing was evident across all kinds of groups.
The healing process of wounds was evaluated based on the examination of wounds caused by the researchers with the non-sterile biopsy tool. They measured a range of other factors, as well as healing itself, such as the VEGFTrusted Source blood sugar levels, as well as weight loss.
Why are wounds healing more slowly in diabetics?
Dietitian nutritionist registered with the Dietitian Association Yelena Wheeler, who was not part of the study explained to the Medical News Today the process of wound healing.
“Red blood cells form the basis of tissue growth as they produce collagen. Collagen makes new skin tissue that is able to grow over the wound which causes it to grow and shrink in size,” she told us.
If a wound is created, there are white blood cells, proteins, nutrients, as well as oxygen-bound blood vessels en route for healing and clotting. Registered dietetic nutritionist Cesar Sauza, who was not part of the research, explained. “All of these compounds have their role in wound-healing,” he added.