Pterocarpus marsupium contains several naturally occurring C-glycosides, which may be responsible for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. The two water-soluble C-glycoside compounds prepared from the heartwood of P. marsupium are Pterocarposide and Sabioside (new compound isolated by Sami-Sabinsa Group).
Pterocarposide (I) and Sabioside (II) from P. marsupium heartwood
Exploring natural strategies for glucose regulation such as via sodium-glucose cotransport (SGLT2) mechanism, research highlights the potential of specific compounds to influence glucose reabsorption processes, offering a nuanced approach to supporting metabolic health through dietary and lifestyle adjustments.
A multi-center, 12-week, flexible-dose, open-trial involving newly-diagnosed type 2 (NIDDM) subjects was carried out to assess the efficacy of Pterocarpus extract. Subjects were supplemented 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% of subjects showed significant control of blood glucose (both fasting and postprandial) levels. Additionally, mean HbA1c was found to be decreased significantly at the end of the trial. There were no side-effects reported during the study period. Thus, Pterocarpus extract may be helpful in the treatment of newly-diagnosed or untreated mild NIDDM subjects (Indian J Med. Res,1998).
Fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels measured at baseline and at 12 weeks
In another 36-week, randomized, double-blind, multi-centre, flexible-dose trial, blood lowering effect of dried aqueous extract of the heartwood of P. marsupium was compared with that of Tolbutamide, in newly-diagnosed or untreated type 2 diabetic subjects. Subjects were randomly divided into Pterocarpus extract group (n=172) and Tolbutamide group (n=177) and were treated with increasing dosage (i.e Pterocarpus extract: 2 g, 3 g and 4 g/day and Tolbutamide: 0.75 g, 1 g, and 1.5 g/day) at a gap of 4 weeks each. Results demonstrated that supplementation with Pterocarpus extract was able to lower blood glucose levels in 86% subjects, which was comparable to Tolbutamide efficacy (i.e. 94%). Hence, it was concluded that Pterocarpus extract could be an effective blood glucose lowering agent in type 2 diabetes without any significant side effects (Diabetologia Croatica, 2005).
| Blood Glucose Levels (mmol/L) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parameter | Drug Group | At baseline | At 36 weeks | |
| Fasting | Pterocarpus extract (n=172) | 9.4 | 7.0 | |
| Tolbutamide (n=177) | 9.4 | 6.7 | ||
| Postprandial | Pterocarpus extract (n=172) | 13.9 | 9.6 | |
| Tolbutamide (n=177) | 13.8 | 9.4 | ||
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