COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING SUBJECTS WITH HYPERGLYCEMIA

摘要

A partially purified plant extract for treating subjects who are hyperglycem ic is provided. The partially-purified plant extract comprises a plurality of water soluble compounds having a molecular weight greater than 800 and less than 1500 grams/mole. One of the compounds in the partially-purified plant extract is the hydrolysable gallotannin known as penta-O-galloyl-D-glucose. The partially-purified plant extract is substantially free of triterpenoids, including corosolic acid and high molecular weight ellagitannins, i.e., ellagitannins having a molecular weight of greater than 1500 grams/mole. In a highly preferred embodiment, the partially purified plant extract is derived from the tropical plant Lagerstroemia Speciosa. L, which is also known as banaba. The present invention also relates to a method of using the present partially-purified extract to treat subjects who are hyperglycemic.