Anti‐diabetic and Anti‐hyperlipidemic Effects and Safety of Salacia reticulata and Related Species. (31st May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stohs, Sidney J.; Ray, Sidhartha
• Is Part Of: Phytotherapy research. Volume 29:Number 7(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 986
• Page End: 995
• Publication Date: 2015-05-31
• Subjects: Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; Botany, Medical -- Periodicals; Medicinal plants -- Periodicals; Plant Extracts -- therapeutic use -- Periodicals; Plants, Medicinal -- Periodicals; 581.634
• DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5382
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-418X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Extracts of <italic>Salacia reticulata</italic> Wight (Hypocrataceae) roots, stems, and leaves have been used in Asia for hundreds of years for the folkloric treatment of diabetes and other health problems. Constituents that have been identified as exhibiting anti‐diabetic effects include salacinol, kotalanol, ponkorinol, salaprinol, and their corresponding de‐0‐sulfonated compounds. Mangiferin, kotalagenin 16‐acetate and various proanthocyanidin oligomers have also been isolated. Studies indicate that <italic>Salacia</italic> extracts modulate multiple targets that influence carbohydrate and lipid metabolism including α‐glucosidase, aldose reductase, pancreatic lipase, peroxisomal proliferator‐activated receptor‐α, glucose transporter‐4 mediated glucose uptake, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor. Furthermore, <italic>Salacia</italic> extracts exhibit free radical scavenging, antioxidant and hepatoprotectant activities. In human studies, <italic>Salacia</italic> extracts have been shown to decrease plasma glucose and insulin levels, decrease HbA1c, and modulate serum lipid levels with no adverse effects being reported. Similar results have been demonstrated in rat and mouse models as well as <italic>in vitro</italic> systems. Safety of <italic>S. reticulata</italic> and other <italic>Salacia</italic> species as <italic>S. oblonga</italic> and <italic>S. chinensis</italic> in rats and mice indicate that extracts are exceedingly safe. No clinical studies have examined the effects of <italic>Salacia</italic> extracts on human weight loss, although weight loss and decreases in weight gain have been demonstrated in animal models. Because of the large number of pharmacologically active compounds, it is difficult to establish standards for extracts. © 2015 The Authors. <italic>Phytotheraphy Research</italic> published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.</p> </abstract>