Crimson berries precious by nomads in western China have long provided new hope in the fight against type 2 diabetes. Scientists show natural extracts from fruits Nitraria Roborowskii Kom– Locally known as “desert cherries” – can greatly reduce blood sugar, restore insulin sensitivity and protect the organs of diabetic mice.
The study was published in China Modern Applied Pharmacy Magazineprovides compelling evidence that the extract (called NRK-C) may one day provide plant-based alternatives or supplement with conventional diabetes medications.
Plant extracts realize multi-system reset
During the seven-week treatment, fasting blood sugar decreased by 30-40% in diabetic mice receiving NRK-C. Insulin sensitivity was increased by about 50% compared to untreated diabetes controls. Unlike most single-target drugs, NRK-C improves the cholesterol spectrum, reduces oxidative stress markers by 60%, and retains liver and pancreatic tissue.
“These results are exciting because they suggest we can treat diabetes more holistically,” said Dr. Yue Huilan, senior researcher of the study. “This plant extract not only lowers blood sugar like most drugs, but also helps the body restore its natural metabolic balance.”
How Desert Berries Work
At the cellular level, the team found that NRK-C reactivates the PI3K/AKT pathway, an impaired central insulin signaling circuit in diabetes. This recovery activity appears to restart glucose absorption and improve liver function.
Histological analysis supports these results. Diabetic mice not treated with NRK-C showed liver swelling, cellular structure disorder and severe inflammation. In contrast, mice given NRK-C showed near normal liver and pancreatic tissue and recovered glycogen in hepatocytes.
Key Discovery
- NRK-C reduces fasting blood sugar by up to 40%
- Insulin sensitivity increases by 50% of treated mice
- Lipid curve normalization: LDL, higher HDL
- Oxidative stress marking is reduced by 60%
- PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signal is significantly reactivated
- Liver and pancreatic injury visually reverses
Based on traditional knowledge
Red Currant Nitraria Roborowskii It has long been used in folk medicine and has been consumed in arid areas of western China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai and Tibet. Although closely related species are known to reduce blood lipids, this is the first systematic study linking desert cherries to improved insulin resistance.
The team used modern network pharmacology to map the extract’s target. 15 plant compounds – including quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin derivatives – are associated with more than 130 diabetes-related genes, the PI3K/AKT pathway is a key hub.
Impact on diabetes treatment
The study is expected to affect 750 million people by 2045 as diabetes cases surge worldwide. Current medications can help manage blood sugar, but often have side effects, tolerance, or limited effects on insulin resistance.
In contrast, NRK-C appears to act through coordinated metabolic reduction, providing the advantage of drugs targeting only a portion of the disease. Although human trials are still needed, the researchers believe that the broad implications of the excerpt may make it valuable for treatment and prevention.
“These discoveries bridge traditional plants with cutting-edge metabolic science,” the authors wrote. “They also suggest desert cherries have not yet been developed in functional food, nutrition or drug development.”
What’s next?
Future research will explore the prevention potential of NRK-C in high-risk individuals and its ability to reduce long-term diabetes complications. The multi-target effect of this extract may also be demonstrated to be useful for metabolic syndrome or fatty liver disease.
Apart from science, this work emphasizes the value of retaining traditional plant knowledge, and the surprising power to thrive in a berries that are tough enough to thrive in the desert.
Journal Reference
Magazine: China Modern Applied Pharmacy Magazine (April 2025)
doi: 10.13748/j.cnki.issn1007-7693.20240613
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