Effect of NR-Salacia on post-prandial hyperglycemia: A randomized double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Background:Salacia chinensis (S. chinensis) is widely distributed in India and Sri Lanka. Most of the species of genus Salacia are known to have effects on blood glucose levels; however, the effects of S. chinensis on glucose levels are seldom reported.Objective:To evaluate the oral hypoglycemic activity of NR- Salacia (1000 mg extract of S. chinensis) in healthy adults.Materials and Methods:Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was conducted in healthy volunteers. Single dose of NR-Salacia (1000 mg extract of Salacia chinensis) and placebo were administered before carbohydrate-rich diet. A 6-point plasma glucose profile was performed at different time intervals up to 180 min.Results:NR-Salacia treatment significantly lowered plasma glucose level at 90 min, and the percentage reduction in glucose concentration was found to be 13.32 as compared to placebo group. A 33.85% decrease in the plasma glucose positive incremental area under curve (AUC) (0 to 180 min) was observed in comparison to placebo. No adverse events were recorded throughout the study period, except for some mild cases of abdominal discomforts like cramping and distention, vomiting, and headache in both placebo and NR-Salacia-treated groups.Conclusion:The study findings revealed that NR-Salacia lowered the post-prandial plasma glucose levels after a carbohydrate-rich meal and can be used as an oral hypoglycemic agent.

SalaciaExtract Improves Postprandial Glucose and Insulin Response: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Crossover Study in Healthy Volunteers

“…The doses of the herbal extract had significant effects on postprandial insulinemia after administration with sucrose solution. The doses of extract for this study are lower than the 1000 mg dose found to be efficacious in other Salacia extracts species studies [ 13 – 15 ].…”

“…AUC glucose and AUC insulin in the subjects with a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dL in healthy Japanese volunteers [ 38 ]. In another study [ 13 ], 1000 mg extract of Salacia chinensis was given with carbohydrate-rich diet (approximately 600 Kcal) and AUC glucose decreased and no data are available on insulin. These two studies were reported with a meal and current study is with a sucrose loading as recommended by FDA for alpha-glucosidase inhibitor products and sucrose (rather than starch) was the most appropriate carbohydrate load [ 39 ].…”

“…Similarly, there was a significant decline in both serum homocysteine and IL-6 levels. In a randomized double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover study, 30 healthy human subjects were given a placebo or 1000 mg of an S. chinensis hydroalcoholic extract as a one-time dose [ 13 ]. The extract decreased postprandial plasma glucose levels after a carbohydrate-rich meal by about 13% at 90 min, while the plasma glucose area under the curve was decreased by about 34%.…”

Use of household ingredients as Complementary medicines for perceived hypoglycaemic benefit among Sri Lankan diabetic patients; a cross-sectional survey.

“…Fenugreek has been studied for its hypoglycemic effect, and there have been favorable results of its hypoglycemic efficacy [ 24 - 26 ]. S. reticulata has evidence for inhibition of intestinal alpha glucosidase and may have clinical significance in reducing post prandial glucose values[ 27 ]. Goat weed ( S. dulcis ) has been studied widely regarding its intestinal alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity in rat models but clinical trials are lacking [ 28 ].…”

The availability and validity of safety information of Over the Counter herbal products for use in diabetes in Sri Lanka: a cross sectional study.

“…Cinnamon has the largest pool of evidence to date [ 26 ]. Selacia reticulata has evidence for inhibition of intestinal alpha glucosidase and may have clinical significance in reducing postprandial and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) values [ 27 - 29 ]. Evidence of efficacy for bitter melon is similar with some studies showing improvements in FPG and postprandial plasma glucose [ 30 , 31 ].…”