Evaluation of insulin-mimetic components of buckwheat: Relationship to glucose utilization in diabetes

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Buckwheat contains bioactive component(s) not found in cereal crops. Our preliminary experiments have demonstrated that oral administration of a buckwheat extract lowers blood glucose concentrations in diabetic rats by 20% within 90-120 minutes. These data are supported by studies done in India and China which reported that consumption of buckwheat as flour or biscuits had a hypoglycemic effect in patients with diabetes; however, the active components were not identified. Cell culture studies have shown the buckwheat extract mimics some of the effects of insulin. We therefore propose that regular dietary supplementation with buckwheat enriched in bioactive components will enhance insulin sensitivity and improve glucose utilization. Our overall objectives are i) to identify the bioactive component(s) in the buckwheat extract that have glucose-lowering potential and insulin-like activity using both cell culture studies and animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and ii) to determine the glucose-lowering potential of the buckwheat bioactive compound(s) during an acute test in humans without or with diabetes. This will allow us to explore the feasibility of employing bioactive compounds from buckwheat for managing diabetes in humans, a long-term goal of the research. This research is important to the supporting organizations, the buckwheat industry, and to Canadians. Kade Research Ltd has a plant breeding program for development of value-added components in buckwheat. Identification of active compound(s) in buckwheat capable of diabetes prevention and/or treatment is critical for development of new breeding lines and registration of new cultivars with enhanced levels of beneficial compounds. Canadian buckwheat growers would gain considerable market advantage and related industries would have new opportunities to develop functional food and nutraceutical products; both are goals of the Canadian Special Crops Association. Canadians would also benefit from identification of dietary compounds useful in the management of blood glucose control for prevention and treatment of diabetes, through an enhanced ability to intervene without Pharmaceuticals.