Costus spp.

Costus/Nutrient Depletion:

  • Blood glucoseBlood glucose: In animal models, various Costus species, as well as constituents of the plants, had antidiabetic effects, including reduced plasma glucose (11; 12; 5; 13; 14; 15; 16). However, in animal research, the methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl. both decreased (<200mg/kg) and increased (>200mg/kg) blood glucose, depending on dose (2); in a separate animal study, tea from Costus spicatus had a lack of effect on fasting glucose (23).
  • Blood lipidsBlood lipids: In an animal diabetic model, administration of eremanthin and costunolide, isolated from Costus speciosus (Koen. ex. Retz.) Sm., resulted in reduced total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased HDL cholesterol (11; 12). In an animal diabetic model, 300 and 450mg/kg of body weight of an ethanol extract of Costus speciosus root resulted in reversed hyperlipidemia (reduced plasma total lipid, cholesterol, and triglyceride) (5).