2009 Annual Report 4.Accomplishments 1. Bay leaves decrease blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides in type 2 diabetic patients. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder of carbohdyrate metabolism resulting from the decreased function of insulin or resistance to insulin resulting in reduced effectiveness of the usual amount of insulin. Although the causes of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are multifactorial, diet definitely plays a role in the incidence and severity of these diseases. The dietary components beneficial in the prevention and treatment of these diseases have not been clearly defined, but it is postulated that spices in the diet contribute to prevention. We have shown previously that aqueous extracts of spices such as cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, and turmeric display insulin-enhancing activity in cell culture (in vitro) and in animal studies. In a human study conducted in Pakistan bay leaves improved sugar and fat metabolism in people with type 2 diabetes. Forty people with type 2 diabetes were divided into 4 groups and given capsules containing 1, 2, or 3 g of ground bay leaves per day for 30 days or a placebo followed by a 10 day washout period. All three levels of bay leaves led to significant improvements in blood sugar, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. These data are important to scientists, medical personnel, and the millions of people world-wide showing early signs of diabetes and elevated blood lipids. 6.Technology Transfer Number of Active CRADAs 1 Review Publications Khan, A., Kaman, G., Anderson, R.A. 2008. Bay Leaves Improve Glucose and Lipid Profile of People with Type 2 Diabetes. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. Qin, B., Dawson, H.D., Polansky, M.M., Anderson, R.A. 2009. Cinnamon extract attenuates TNF-alpha-induced Intestinal lipoprotein ApoB48 overproduction by regulating inflammatory, insulin and lipoprotein pathways in enterocytes. Hormone and Metabolic Research. 41:1-7. Roussel, A., Hininger, I., Waters, R., Osman, M., Fernholz, K., Anderson, R.A. 2009. EDTA chelation therapy, without added vitamin C, decreases oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation. Alternative Medicine Review. 14:56-61.