Surreal illustration of Ceiba pentandra tree intertwined with insulin receptors.

Can This African Tree Bark Fight Insulin Resistance?

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"New research explores the potential of Ceiba pentandra to combat diabetes and improve metabolic health."

Diabetes is a growing global health crisis, with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounting for approximately 90% of all cases. Characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, T2DM significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), making the search for effective treatments more critical than ever. While conventional antidiabetic drugs exist, their specificity and the disease's complexity often necessitate multidrug therapies, leading to increased side effects and the risk of drug intoxication. This has spurred interest in exploring alternative, less toxic, and more effective treatment methods, with phytotherapy emerging as a promising avenue.

Ceiba pentandra, commonly known as the silk-cotton tree, is a plant highly valued in African traditional medicine for its diverse medicinal properties. Traditionally, the bark and leaves of this tropical tree have been used to treat various ailments, including diabetes, dizziness, headache, hypertension, and fever. Previous studies have demonstrated the antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic effects of extracts from the root, stem bark, or leaves of C. pentandra. Research has also shown that aqueous and methanol extracts from the stem bark can enhance peripheral glucose consumption and reduce liver glucose release, with the decoction (aqueous extract) being particularly effective.

Despite these promising findings, the effects of Ceiba pentandra on glucose metabolism and cardiovascular complications in insulin resistance conditions have remained largely unexplored. To address this gap, a new study investigates the potential of a dried decoction from Ceiba pentandra stem bark (DCP) to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce hyperglycemia, and offer cardioprotective benefits in rats with dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance.

Ceiba pentandra's Impact on Insulin Resistance: The Science

Surreal illustration of Ceiba pentandra tree intertwined with insulin receptors.

Researchers induced insulin resistance in rats using dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid known to impair glucose metabolism. The rats were then treated with either DCP (at doses of 75 or 150 mg/kg/day), metformin (a standard diabetes drug), or a control solution. Over nine days, several key health indicators were monitored, including:

The study employed rigorous scientific methods, including LC-MS analysis to identify the active compounds in DCP, and detailed biochemical assays to measure various metabolic and oxidative stress parameters in the rats' blood and tissues.

Blood glucose levels: Measured to assess the impact on hyperglycemia.
Oral glucose tolerance: Evaluated to determine how effectively the rats processed glucose.
Blood pressure and heart rate: Monitored for cardiovascular effects.
Lipid profile: Triglyceride and cholesterol levels were assessed to evaluate improvements in metabolic health.
Antioxidant status: Measured in cardiac, hepatic, and aortic tissues to determine the extract's protective effects against oxidative stress.

The findings revealed that DCP significantly decreased glycemia (up to 34%) and improved glucose tolerance in the insulin-resistant rats. Moreover, DCP reduced total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased levels of key antioxidants, such as catalase and glutathione, in the heart and liver. These results suggest that Ceiba pentandra has promising insulin-sensitizing and cardioprotective effects.

The Future of Ceiba pentandra in Diabetes Treatment

This research provides compelling evidence that the decoction of Ceiba pentandra stem bark possesses significant potential in managing insulin resistance and related metabolic complications. By improving glucose tolerance, enhancing antioxidant status, and positively influencing plasma lipid profiles, this natural extract offers a multi-faceted approach to tackling type 2 diabetes.

While these findings are promising, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and to determine the optimal dosage and long-term effects of Ceiba pentandra in humans. Clinical trials are essential to validate these preclinical results and to assess the safety and efficacy of DCP as a therapeutic agent for diabetes.

The study supports the continued exploration of traditional medicines and natural products as sources of novel therapeutic strategies for combating metabolic diseases. Ceiba pentandra, with its rich history of use in traditional African medicine, may offer a valuable addition to the arsenal of treatments for type 2 diabetes, providing new hope for millions worldwide.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1155/2018/4234981, Alternate LINK

Title: Hypoglycemic Properties Of The Aqueous Extract From The Stem Bark Of Ceiba Pentandra In Dexamethasone-Induced Insulin Resistant Rats

Subject: Complementary and alternative medicine

Journal: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Publisher: Hindawi Limited

Authors: Christian Kuété Fofié, Elvine Pami Nguelefack-Mbuyo, Nole Tsabang, Albert Kamanyi, Télesphore Benoît Nguelefack

Published: 2018-09-16

Everything You Need To Know

What is Ceiba pentandra and what is its significance in the context of diabetes?

Ceiba pentandra, often called the silk-cotton tree, is a plant from which an extract is being studied for its potential in managing insulin resistance. This tropical tree has a history in African traditional medicine, where its bark and leaves have been used to treat various ailments, including diabetes. The decoction from the stem bark of Ceiba pentandra is of particular interest because it has shown promise in improving insulin sensitivity and reducing hyperglycemia.

How is Ceiba pentandra being studied in relation to insulin resistance?

The study focuses on the effects of Ceiba pentandra on insulin resistance, a condition where cells don't respond properly to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. The research induced insulin resistance in rats using dexamethasone and then treated them with an extract from Ceiba pentandra. The goal was to see if the extract could improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and protect the heart. The findings indicated that Ceiba pentandra could indeed reduce glycemia, improve glucose tolerance, and offer cardioprotective benefits, suggesting it may help in managing metabolic complications associated with insulin resistance.

What specific health indicators were monitored in the study using Ceiba pentandra?

The study investigated the impact of a dried decoction from Ceiba pentandra stem bark (DCP) by monitoring several key health indicators in rats with dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance. These included blood glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance, blood pressure, heart rate, lipid profile (triglyceride and cholesterol levels), and antioxidant status in the heart, liver, and aorta. The study used this comprehensive approach to evaluate how DCP affected not only blood sugar control but also cardiovascular health and oxidative stress, which are critical aspects of managing diabetes and its complications.

What were the key findings of the study regarding Ceiba pentandra?

The results of the study showed that the extract from Ceiba pentandra, specifically the DCP, had several positive effects. It significantly reduced glycemia (blood sugar levels) and improved glucose tolerance in insulin-resistant rats. Furthermore, it lowered total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, which is beneficial for metabolic health. The extract also increased levels of antioxidants, like catalase and glutathione, in the heart and liver, suggesting a protective effect against oxidative stress. These findings collectively indicate that Ceiba pentandra has the potential to manage insulin resistance and related metabolic complications.

Why are these findings about Ceiba pentandra important?

The study's findings are significant because they highlight the potential of Ceiba pentandra as a natural treatment option for managing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. By improving glucose tolerance, enhancing antioxidant status, and positively impacting lipid profiles, Ceiba pentandra offers a multifaceted approach to tackling the disease. This research supports the use of phytotherapy and suggests that the decoction from Ceiba pentandra stem bark could become a valuable tool in managing diabetes and related cardiovascular complications, especially given the limitations and side effects associated with conventional antidiabetic drugs.