The extract of Cyclocarya paliurus leaves is a substance extracted from the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus by modern technology, rich in various bioactive compounds. The leaves of the Cyclocarya paliurus contain organic components such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, triterpenoids and phenolic compounds, as well as minerals like iron, zinc, selenium, chromium, germanium, magnesium and calcium. Flavonoids have been found to be the main active compounds in the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus. The flavonoids isolated from the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus include cyclocarya paliurus glycoside, cyclocarya paliurus acid, kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin, etc. The interaction of various compounds endows the leaves of the Cyclocarya paliurus with functions such as lowering blood sugar, anti-obesity and antioxidation.

1.Lower blood sugar

Hyperglycemia is one of the main symptoms of diabetes. This chronic disease can lead to many related complications and impose a heavy burden on public health. In addition to being known as the "giant panda of the plant kingdom", the Cyclocarya paliurus is also called the "natural plant insulin". Research has found that it can regulate blood sugar through multiple pathways and has no effect on the blood sugar of a normal body.
Mouse experiments have shown that polysaccharides and polyphenols (flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids and anthocyanins) isolated from the leaves of Cyclocarum mongolicum have a strong hypoglycemic effect and can improve experimental type 2 diabetes in mice induced by a high-fat diet - low-dose streptozotocin. In addition, the results of an 84-day randomized controlled trial showed that the extract of Cyclocarpa leaves, like glipizine, could significantly improve the glycated hemoglobin levels and other glucose metabolism parameters related to type 2 diabetes in patients with type 2 diabetes, and had no significant effect on liver and kidney functions. Meanwhile, the extract of Cyclocarya paliurus leaves can improve blood lipid and blood pressure levels. This might be related to the phytochemical components 3-caffeylquinic acid, isorhamnetin and kaempferol 3-glucoside in the leaf extract of Cyclocarpa.

2.Anti-obesity

High-sugar diets are very common in daily life, but they are harmful to the body. Sucrose is a safe and inexpensive sweetener and is often widely used in the preparation of delicious food. However, a high-sucrose diet not only increases energy intake but also disrupts the intestinal flora. Long-term intake of sucrose will increase the relative abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum. A decrease in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes will lead to obesity.
A mouse research experiment found that the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus can alleviate fat accumulation, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and abnormal liver and kidney functions caused by high sucrose intake. The experiment divided the mice into the control group (Ctr group), the high glucose group (CHS group), and the Cyclocarpa leaf group (CPL group). After 16 weeks of feeding, various indicators were measured and biochemical analysis was conducted. The experimental results showed that the food and water (dissolved sucrose) intake of mice in the CHS group and the CPL group was the same. However, compared with the CHS group, the body weight of mice in the CPL group gradually decreased, and the liver index and fat index reflecting fat deposition of mice in this group were significantly reduced. In addition, researchers have found that the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus can increase the proportion of Firmicutes and Bacteroides in obese mice induced by a high-sucrose diet, thereby enhancing the metabolic capacity of intestinal microorganisms. This indicates that the extract of Cyclocarya paliurus leaves can prevent obesity caused by sucrose and improve intestinal flora and metabolic disorders.

3.Antioxidant

Excessive reactive oxygen species can lead to oxidative stress in the human body, which is the main cause of aging and diseases. The leaves of the Cyclocarya paliurus contain polyphenols and flavonoids, and their antioxidant properties are beyond doubt.
DPPH and FRAP tests are typically used to determine the antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds. According to the test results of DPPH and FRAP, the phenolic compounds in the leaves of Cycactyla argyi exhibit significant antioxidant activity. The IC 50 values of DPPH and the EC 50 values of FRAP range from 6.1 to 68.8 μg/mL and 0.29 to 1.18 mg/mL, respectively. Its antioxidant activity is much higher than that of thyme, Eucommia ulmoides leaves, ginkgo biloba, etc.
In addition to the functions mentioned above, other benefits of Cyclocarya paliurus leaves are also under research, such as lowering blood lipids, blood pressure, and providing immune support.