Banaba Leaf
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Banaba Leaf (Lagerstroemia speciosa) is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 265 participants, researched for Blood Sugar Control, Insulin Sensitivity & Weight Management.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Blood Sugar Control
StrongInsulin Sensitivity & Weight Management
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Blood Sugar Control
To assess Banaba extract on blood glucose in type 2 diabetics
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Banaba extract on blood glucose in type 2 diabetics
Dose
32-48 mg/day corosolic acid
Participants
31 type 2 diabetics
Duration
2 weeks
Results
Banaba extract significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels. Corosolic acid identified as the active hypoglycemic compound. PMID: 22095937
How They Measured It
Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin
To evaluate Banaba on metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Banaba on metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion
Dose
1 g/day Banaba extract
Participants
40 patients with metabolic syndrome
Duration
3 months
Results
Banaba significantly improved insulin sensitivity and reduced fasting glucose in metabolic syndrome. Effects consistent with prior clinical trials in T2DM. PMID: 34670472
How They Measured It
Fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profile
To evaluate Banaba soft gel capsules on postprandial blood glucose
Study Type
Randomised double-blind trial
Purpose
To evaluate Banaba soft gel capsules on postprandial blood glucose
Dose
10 mg corosolic acid/day
Participants
31 diabetics
Duration
Acute study + 2 weeks
Results
Pure corosolic acid significantly decreased blood sugar levels within 60 minutes. First human study confirming rapid hypoglycemic effect. PMID: 10482146
How They Measured It
Postprandial blood glucose at 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes
To review Banaba and corosolic acid for diabetes management and complications
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To review Banaba and corosolic acid for diabetes management and complications
Dose
Various
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Banaba and its constituents (corosolic acid, ellagitannins) have demonstrated hypoglycemic effects via glucose transport stimulation, alpha-glucosidase inhibition, and PPAR-gamma activation. PMCID: PMC3468018
How They Measured It
Systematic literature review
Insulin Sensitivity & Weight Management
To investigate corosolic acid mechanism on disaccharide hydrolysis and glucose absorption
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To investigate corosolic acid mechanism on disaccharide hydrolysis and glucose absorption
Dose
Various concentrations
Participants
Cell cultures and enzyme assays
Duration
N/A
Results
Corosolic acid inhibited alpha-glucosidase activity and increased cellular glucose uptake via GLUT4 translocation, explaining blood glucose lowering effect. PMID: 18635916
How They Measured It
Alpha-glucosidase inhibition, glucose uptake assays
To assess Banaba extract on weight management in overweight subjects
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess Banaba extract on weight management in overweight subjects
Dose
10 mg corosolic acid/day
Participants
50 overweight adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Banaba supplementation significantly reduced body weight (2.5 kg), BMI, and improved glucose tolerance vs placebo in overweight subjects.
How They Measured It
Body weight, BMI, waist circumference, glucose tolerance
To investigate Banaba on obesity and insulin resistance in high-fat diet mice
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate Banaba on obesity and insulin resistance in high-fat diet mice
Dose
200 mg/kg corosolic acid
Participants
C57BL/6 mice
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Banaba extract significantly reduced body weight, improved insulin sensitivity, and normalized adipokine levels in obese mice. PPAR-gamma pathway identified. PMID: 16949897
How They Measured It
Body weight, insulin sensitivity, adipokines
To explore nutraceutical solutions including Banaba for prediabetes management
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To explore nutraceutical solutions including Banaba for prediabetes management
Dose
Various
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) leaf extract rich in corosolic acid reduces fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and insulin levels in clinical studies, particularly in T2D patients. PMID: 40613623
How They Measured It
Literature review of clinical evidence
To assess Banaba on lipid profile and inflammation in metabolic syndrome
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess Banaba on lipid profile and inflammation in metabolic syndrome
Dose
500 mg/day extract
Participants
56 metabolic syndrome patients
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Banaba supplementation significantly improved lipid profile and reduced hs-CRP vs placebo in metabolic syndrome patients. Consistent with glucose-lowering effects.
How They Measured It
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, hs-CRP
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Banaba Leaf research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Banaba Leaf (Lagerstroemia speciosa), involving 265 total participants. Research covers Blood sugar control, Insulin sensitivity, Weight management. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (5 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Banaba Leaf has been researched for: Blood sugar control, Insulin sensitivity, Weight management. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 5 out of 9 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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