Researchers studied whether an extract from the umbu plant could help pregnant rats that weren’t eating enough protein. They found that rats on low-protein diets had higher blood sugar levels and ate more food overall. When researchers gave pregnant rats the umbu plant extract, their body weight decreased during pregnancy. However, the plant extract only had limited effects on other health measures. This early animal study suggests the umbu plant might be worth studying further, but much more research is needed before we know if it could help humans.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a natural plant extract from the umbu tree could help pregnant rats that weren’t getting enough protein in their diet
  • Who participated: 18 pregnant laboratory rats divided into three groups: one eating normal protein, one eating low protein, and one eating low protein plus umbu plant extract
  • Key finding: Rats given the umbu extract weighed less during pregnancy compared to the other groups, though the extract didn’t significantly improve other health markers like blood sugar levels
  • What it means for you: This is very early research done only in rats, so we cannot apply these findings to humans yet. Much more study is needed before anyone should consider using this plant extract during pregnancy

The Research Details

Scientists divided 18 pregnant rats into three equal groups. One group ate a normal diet with adequate protein (19%), another ate a low-protein diet (9%), and the third group ate the low-protein diet plus received a daily dose of umbu plant extract for 21 days. The researchers measured how much the rats weighed, how much they ate, their blood sugar levels when fasting, and the weight of their organs. They continued tracking some measurements during the nursing period after birth.

The umbu plant extract was made by soaking the inner bark of the umbu tree in alcohol, which pulls out the active compounds. This extract was given to the rats through a feeding tube at a dose of 500 milligrams per day. The researchers chose this approach because previous studies suggested umbu might help with blood sugar control.

This study design allowed researchers to see whether the plant extract could specifically help with problems caused by low-protein pregnancy diets. By comparing three groups, they could tell whether any benefits came from the extract itself or just from other factors. Animal studies like this are important first steps before testing anything in humans.

This was a small study with only 18 rats total, which limits how much we can trust the results. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other scientists reviewed it before publication. However, because it’s an animal study, we cannot directly apply these findings to humans. The researchers were clear about their limitations, which is a good sign of scientific honesty.

What the Results Show

Rats that ate a low-protein diet during pregnancy showed several changes compared to rats eating normal protein. They consumed less protein overall (which was expected), but they also ate more total food, more calories, more carbohydrates, and more fats. Their fasting blood sugar levels increased, suggesting their bodies were having trouble managing blood sugar.

When researchers gave the umbu plant extract to the low-protein diet group, the rats’ body weight decreased during pregnancy. This was the main positive finding. However, the extract did not significantly improve the high blood sugar levels or change most other health measurements.

During the nursing period after birth, all rats that had eaten the low-protein diet ate less food overall and consumed less protein and fat compared to the normal-diet group. This suggests the low-protein diet had lasting effects even after pregnancy ended.

The researchers measured organ weights (liver, kidneys, heart, etc.) but found no significant differences between groups. They also tracked food intake patterns and found that the low-protein diet caused rats to compensate by eating more calories from carbohydrates and fats. These secondary findings suggest that while the low-protein diet caused metabolic stress, the umbu extract’s benefits were limited to body weight reduction.

Previous research suggested that umbu plant extract might help control blood sugar because it contains compounds with antioxidant properties. However, this study found that while the extract did reduce body weight, it didn’t significantly improve blood sugar control as might have been expected. This suggests that the plant extract’s effects are more complex than previously thought, or that 21 days of treatment may not be long enough to see all potential benefits.

This study had several important limitations. First, it only included 18 rats, which is a small sample size that makes results less reliable. Second, the treatment period was only 21 days during pregnancy, which may not be long enough to see all effects. Third, this is an animal study, so we cannot assume the same results would happen in humans. Fourth, the study didn’t measure all possible health markers that might be affected. Finally, the researchers note that the umbu extract produced ’limited effects on most maternal parameters,’ meaning it didn’t help with most of the health problems caused by low-protein diet.

The Bottom Line

This research is too early-stage to make any recommendations for human use. The study was done only in rats over a short time period. Anyone considering using umbu extract during pregnancy should absolutely consult with their doctor first, as safety in humans has not been established. Pregnant people should focus on eating adequate protein as recommended by their healthcare provider.

This research may interest scientists studying natural plant compounds and their potential health effects. It may also interest researchers studying how low-protein diets affect pregnancy. However, it should NOT be used by pregnant people to make decisions about their diet or supplements without medical guidance. The findings are preliminary and animal-based only.

Because this is early animal research, there is no realistic timeline for human applications. If this research were to eventually lead to human studies, it would likely take many years of additional research before any potential benefits could be confirmed in people.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users interested in pregnancy nutrition could track daily protein intake (in grams) and compare it to recommended amounts for pregnancy, which helps identify if protein intake is adequate
  • Rather than considering unproven plant extracts, pregnant users should focus on meeting protein goals through food sources like eggs, yogurt, chicken, beans, and nuts, which can be logged in a nutrition app
  • Track protein intake daily during pregnancy and monitor energy levels and weight gain patterns to ensure adequate nutrition, sharing results with healthcare providers at regular checkups

This research was conducted only in laboratory rats and cannot be applied to human pregnancy. The study is preliminary and does not establish safety or effectiveness in humans. Pregnant people should not use umbu extract or any other supplement without explicit approval from their healthcare provider. Adequate protein intake during pregnancy is important for fetal development, and pregnant individuals should work with their doctor or registered dietitian to ensure proper nutrition. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.