Global trends underscore the significance of supporting blood sugar levels within a healthy range to promote overall well-being, reflecting a proactive approach to maintaining health.
"Traditional wellness practices have embraced the use of natural ingredients for supporting metabolic health, recognized for their role in a holistic approach to well-being, with modern research acknowledging their potential benefits."
Exploring natural compounds that support glucose metabolism via sodium glucose co-transporter represents a forward-looking aspect of nutritional science, focusing on wellness and balanced lifestyle choices.
Because of its usefulness in managing diabetes, Pterocarpus marsupium is famously termed as “the miracle cure for diabetes” in Ayurveda literature. It is believed that vijaysar was first introduced by Susruta, the ancient surgeon from India for diabetes.
Since ancient times, Ayurvedic practitioners used blocks or pieces of Pterocarpus to control diabetes. Pterostilbene was identified as the major phenolic compound in Drakshasava, a traditional Ayurvedic medicinal preparation, used to treat cardiovascular and related problems (Paul et al., 1999), as well as in wood of Pterocarpus marsupium used by in the treatment of diabetes (Manickam et al., 1997).
In a study by Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India, different extracts of heart wood of P. marsupium were tested for antidiabetic efficacy in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.
Treatment showed a marked improvement on oral glucose tolerance post sucrose load as well as reduction in elevated blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Furthermore, 10-day treatment with the ethanolic extract (100 mg/kg) resulted in decreased blood glucose, improved OGTT and increased serum insulin levels in STZ-treated rats.
A multicenter, flexible dose, 12-week, open trial involving newly-diagnosed type 2 (NIDDM) patients was carried to assess efficacy of Pterocarpus extract. Patients were treated with increasing doses of Pterocarpus extract (i.e. 2 g, 3 g and 4 g at a gap of 4 weeks each). At the end of 12 weeks, 69% patients showed significant control of blood glucose (both fasting and postprandial levels).
Additionally, mean HbA1c was found to be decreased significantly (P < 0.001) at the end of the trial. There were no side-effects reported during the study period. In conclusion, Pterocarpus extract may be helpful in the treatment of newly-diagnosed or untreated mild NIDDM patients (ICMR, 1998).
Sabinsa Corporation, founded in 1988, is a manufacturer and
supplier of herbal extracts, cosmeceuticals, minerals and specialty fine
chemicals. Sabinsa’s mission is to provide evidence-based natural products for
human functional nutrition and well-being.
Over the past 35 years,
Sabinsa has brought to market more than 100 standardized botanical extracts and
privately funded several clinical studies in conjunction with prestigious
institutions in support of these products.
