Finding a new natural product to treat diabetes and obesity
Official title: Discovery and characterization of a novel natural product for the treatment of both diabetes and obesity
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-10914921 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new compound from olive leaves called elenolic acid, which might help people with obesity and type 2 diabetes by improving how their bodies handle insulin and helping them lose weight, and it's being tested on mice to see if it works better than current treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $457,835 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134401-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914921 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are obese and have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have obesity or type 2 diabetes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel compound called elenolic acid (EA), derived from olive leaves, which has shown promise in treating both obesity and type 2 diabetes. The study aims to understand how EA can improve insulin sensitivity and promote weight loss by stimulating the secretion of specific hormones that regulate appetite and glucose levels. Researchers will conduct experiments using obese diabetic mice to evaluate the effectiveness of EA compared to traditional treatments. If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic options for patients struggling with these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option that effectively addresses both obesity and diabetes simultaneously.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar natural compounds in managing diabetes and obesity, but this specific approach with elenolic acid is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Dongmin — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Liu, Dongmin
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.