Question

Gymnema sylvestre is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine as a treatment for Diabetes Mellitus (type II). One of the ways that it works is by decreasing absorption of glucose. Which of the following would decrease glucose absorption?

  

molecules in G. sylvestre cause increased secretion of saliva

   

molecules in G. sylvestre block glucose transporters in the small intestine

   

molecules in G. sylvestre increase the production of intrinsic factor

   

molecules in G. sylvestre block lacteals

Answer 1

The way in which it works as decreasing absorptionl of glucose is:-

The molecules in G. sylvester blocks glucose transporters in small intestine. The compound glymnemic acid present in G. sylvester delays glucose absorption in blood. The atomic arrangement of this acid is similar to that of glucose molecules. These molecules fill the receptor site in the absorptive external layer of the intestine thereby, preventing the sugar molecules absorption by the intestine, thus acts as hypoglycemic agent.

In diabetic patients this stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin