The Efficacy of Spearmint (Mentha spicata) and Blackberry (Rubus

fruticosus) Pure Extract as a Potential Anti-diabetes Medicine

Life Science Category

(Team)

Shane C. Cabalatungan
Mary Heart B. Creo
Jamela Liza Marie G. Florendo
(10 – Einstein)
Researchers

Fely Solomon
Research Adviser

Doña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National High School

La Carlota City, Negros Occidental
September, 2023
The Efficacy of Spearmint (Mentha spicata) and Blackberry (Rubus

fruticosus) Pure Extract as a Potential Anti-diabetes Medicine

Introduction

Diabetes is a chronic condition brought on by either insufficient insulin production by the

pancreas or inefficient insulin utilization by the body. A hormone called insulin controls blood

sugar levels. Uncontrolled diabetes frequently causes hyperglycemia, also known as high blood

glucose or raised blood sugar, which over time can seriously harm many different bodily

systems, including the neurons and blood vessels. Diabetes affected 8.5% of persons aged 18 and

above in 2014. Diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million fatalities in 2019, with 48% of all

diabetes-related deaths occurring before hitting the age of 70. Diabetes contributed another 460

000 kidney disease deaths, and increased blood glucose is responsible for approximately 20% of

cardiovascular casualties. Diabetes caused a 3% increase in age-standardized death rates between

2000 and 2019. Diabetes-related mortality increased by 13% in lower-middle-income nations. In

contrast, the risk of dying from any of the four major noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular

diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, or diabetes) between the ages of 30 and 70

declined by 22% globally between 2000 and 2019 (WHO, 2023).

Diabetes is becoming more prevalent in the Philippines. This epidemic is greatly

influenced by rapid urbanization, growing dependence on electronic devices, and sedentary

lifestyle. Regarding resources, government assistance, and economics, diabetes care in the
Philippines is underfunded and faced with difficulties. A preventive model of comprehensive

diabetes care is not covered by the national insurance system, and private insurance firms only

provide a limited amount of diabetic coverage. Therefore, the majority of patients depend on

"out-of-pocket" costs, such as routine medical care and laboratory tests. As a result, inadequate

medication adherence hinders the ability to prevent problems. Additionally, cultural preferences

for a conventional diet high in refined sugar, such as white rice and bread, make behavioral

changes challenging (Tan, 2016).

There is an elevated disease load in the Philippines. among 2019, the average rate of

diabetes, a persistent metabolic condition defined by hyperglycemia, was 7.1% among

individuals aged 20 to 79. All the direct and indirect victims of this pandemic may have diabetes.

An impoverished state brought on by poor management of blood sugar could boost the risk of

infection (Arcellana, et al, 2020).

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a minty herb rich in antioxidants and other healthy plant

elements. It can also lessen stress and enhance memory. It may also help regulate hormones,

lower blood sugar, improve digestion, and improve digestion. For diabetics, spearmint (Mentha

spicata) tea may help reduce blood sugar levels. Animal research have yielded encouraging

results, despite the dearth of human trials on this potential benefit. In one experiment, rats

received a spearmint (Mentha spicata) extract daily at a dose of 9 mg/lb (20 mg/kg) of body

weight. Rats with diabetes exhibited much lower blood sugar levels than healthy rats, who

appeared unaffected (Groves, M. 2023).

There may also be properties in spearmint tea that lower blood sugar and help people

who have diabetes maintain their health. While no extensive study has been done on humans to
investigate these benefits, studies on rats with diabetes have shown lower blood sugar levels

when given spearmint (Mentha spicata). (Zhelman, K., 2022)

Research suggests that spearmint tea may help lower blood sugar in some diabetes

patients. There have not been any extensive human studies on the matter. But, studies on rats

with diabetes have shown lower blood sugar levels when given spearmint.In a lab study that

having healthy and diabetic rats, the researchers gave spearmint extract to the rats every day.

Compared to the healthy rats, the diabetic rats displayed lower levels of blood sugar.In another

study, the researchers gave 300 mg (per kg of body weight) of spearmint extract to diabetic rats

daily for 21 days. The study reported a 25% reduction in blood sugar. (Giradkar, D., 2021)

In a study by Farid O., Haidani A., and Eddouks M. (2018), neither a single dosage of the

A.P.A.E (20 mg/kg) nor repeated administrations failed to significantly lower blood glucose

levels in normal rats. Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) were chosen as the anthocyanin source due

to their high content of cyanidin 3-glucoside, an especially common anthocyanin in the food

supply. In addition, potential glucoregulatory effects were also investigated. (Solverson, P., et al.,

2018)

However, if taken orally on a regular basis on STZ diabetic rats, Spearmint (Mentha

spicata) aqueous extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels (p 0.0001). At the dose

employed, A.P.A.E blood glucose-lowering activity was comparable to that of glibenclamide

therapy. Additionally, a histopathology examination demonstrated Spearmint (Mentha

spicata) superior performance in the liver and pancreas.

European blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) plants that have been produced in the wild are

common in many northern regions and have been widely utilized in herbal medicine. The
findings indicate that European blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) plants are utilized for herbal

therapeutic purposes such as antibacterial, anticancer, antidysentery, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal,

and also good antioxidant. The blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) plant includes tannins, gallic acid,

villosin, and iron; the fruit contains vitamin C, niacin (nicotinic acid), pectin, sugars, and

anthocyanins; it also contains berries albumin, citric acid, malic acid, and pectin (Verma, R, et

al., 2014).

Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) are one of several types of berries believed to have a

positive impact on insulin resistance and triglyceride levels. As such, researchers view

blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) as beneficial for diabetes management, especially if eaten fresh

or frozen. Research suggests that an increased intake of blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) may

address obesity by increasing insulin sensitivity and helping the body burn fat more effectively.

(Mikstas, C., 2022)

In diabetic rats, blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) juice significantly increased glucose

metabolism and antioxidant status while decreasing ER stress and inflammation. Furthermore,

blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) juice improved glucose metabolism by boosting insulin levels and

enhancing the dysregulated activities of glucose-metabolizing enzymes (Tony, S,K, et al., 2023).