Indonesia Discovers Wood Extract with Potential Anti-Diabetes Properties
Researchers in Indonesia have discovered the potential of a local plant that can be utilised as a candidate for herbal diabetes medication. Raru wood, traditionally known in Batak community practices, has been found to possess properties that could help reduce blood sugar levels.
This discovery stems from research conducted by scientists at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). They investigated raru wood bark extract (Vatica perakensis) as a candidate for anti-diabetes herbal material based on Indonesia’s biological wealth.
The research was motivated by the traditional knowledge of the Batak community, who have long used raru wood as an ingredient in tuak, a traditional beverage. In this traditional practice, raru wood is believed to help regulate blood sugar levels.
Gunawan Trisandi Pasaribu, a researcher at BRIN’s Centre for Applied Botanical Research, explained that raru wood extract possesses antioxidant properties and has the potential to inhibit the activity of alpha-glucosidase enzyme, which plays a role in breaking down carbohydrates into glucose.
“To increase its effectiveness, we combined the raru wood bark extract with activated carbon made from mocaf (modified cassava flour) which functions as a carrier for active compounds,” said Gunawan according to an official BRIN release dated Sunday, 15 March 2026.
The activated carbon, he explained, is produced through a special heating process that creates a very finely porous structure. This structure is expected to effectively transport and release active compounds from the raru extract within the body.
Preclinical Testing on Animal Models
The BRIN team tested raru wood bark extract on male rats induced with diabetes. The test animals were divided into several groups, including a control group, a group receiving raru extract only, and groups receiving combinations of raru extract and mocaf-based activated carbon in different compositions.
The test results showed that raru extract alone was able to reduce blood sugar levels by up to 21.94%. Meanwhile, the combination of raru extract and activated carbon resulted in a reduction of 18.85% at a 75:25 ratio and 14.97% at a 50:50 ratio. Although the combination still lowered blood sugar, its effectiveness did not exceed the use of raru extract alone.
Previous research also demonstrated that raru extract was able to inhibit alpha-glucosidase enzyme activity in vitro by more than 90%, which is believed to be related to its phenolic compound content.
Although the results are promising, Gunawan stated that this research still requires further investigation, including pharmacokinetic analysis, mechanism of action studies, and safety assessments before it can be tested on humans.
“Going forward, the research team will conduct phytochemical analysis to identify active compounds, optimise the active compound delivery system, and deepen investigations into the mechanism of action and safety aspects,” he concluded.