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Fiber purified extracts of carob fruit decrease carbohydrate absorption
A Macho-González1, A Garcimartín, M E López-Oliva
1Departamento de Nutrición y Bromatología I. Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n., 28040-Madrid, Spain.
Food & Function
|May 24, 2017
Summary
Carob fruit extract (CFE) effectively inhibits carbohydrate digestion and lowers blood glucose levels in rats. This suggests CFE could be a beneficial dietary approach for managing diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The postprandial state is crucial in chronic disease development.
- Condensed tannins (CT) in carob fruit may possess antidiabetic properties.
- Understanding carob fruit extract's (CFE) impact on carbohydrate metabolism is key.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of CFE on carbohydrate digestion and absorption.
- To evaluate CFE's potential as a hypoglycemic agent.
Main Methods:
- In vitro: Assessed α-glucosidase inhibition and glucose diffusion using various CFE concentrations.
- In vivo: Acute and subchronic studies in Wistar rats with CFE administration and glucose gavage.
- Measured blood glucose levels (AUC) and duodenal sodium-glucose-linked transporter-1 (SGLT1) expression.
Main Results:
- CFE significantly inhibited α-glucosidase activity competitively and reduced glucose diffusion dose-dependently.
- Acute CFE administration lowered blood glucose AUC.
- Subchronic CFE reduced AUC further and decreased SGLT1 levels at higher doses.
Conclusions:
- CFE exhibits significant hypoglycemic properties.
- CFE demonstrates potential as a nutritional strategy for diabetic patients.
- The findings support carob fruit's role in metabolic health management.
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