- Spinach extract could have promoted the healing of wounds in rats similar to wounds experienced by people with diabetes, says a new study.
- Spinach is full of compounds that may have produced this effect, including vitamins, antioxidants, glutamine, and zinc, but the mechanism that may allow spinach extract to promote wound healing remains unclear.
- The most decisive wound-healing benefit was seen in rats who received spinach extract before the ulcers were inflicted.
A new study in rats suggests that extracts of spinach, Spinacia oleracea, could help promote healing of diabetic ulcers.
Chronic diabetic ulcers are a serious problem for people with diabetes, and can persist for months or even years. About
A new study — published in
The researchers investigated the efficacy of two types of spinach extract. One was water-based (aquatic), and the other was alcohol-based. They both promoted healing, though the alcohol-based extract had a slight edge.
The study involved 72 adult rats, divided into six groups:
- Group A — rats with diabetes who were tube-fed 300 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) weight of saline solution for a month
- Group B — rats without diabetes who were tube-fed 300 mg/kg of saline solution for a month
- Group C — rats with diabetes who were tube-fed 300 mg/kg of S. oleracea aquatic extract for a month
- Group D — rats without diabetes who were tube-fed 300 mg/kg of S. oleracea alcoholic extract for a month
- Group E — rats without diabetes who were tube-fed 300 mg/kg of S. oleracea aquatic extract for a month, exposed to diabetes by the researchers, and then tube-fed 300 mg/kg of S. oleracea aquatic…
Read the full article here