In a recent study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements, researchers found that Pterocarpus marsupium extracts manufactured by Sami Labs (the manufacturing arm of Sabinsa Corporation) lowered blood glucose and HbA1c levels, increasing the levels of the hormone insulin in diabetic rats.
 
These extracts, containing water-soluble C-glycosidic components, also lowered oxidative stress and inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, IL-6 (and its mRNA) in diabetic hepatic tissue. Histological studies supported the biochemical measures. Lipid profile improved considerably for the diabetic rats that received Pterocarpus extracts. Overall, very supportive evidence was obtained in this paper for the pharmacological actions of Pterocarpus marsupium extract for normalizing blood sugar levels in diabetic rats.
 
These results reinforced the clinical trial results published earlier by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a research institute supported by the Government of India. Sami licensed-in the product and patents on an exclusive basis from ICMR.
 
According to the American Medical Association diabetes is prevalent in about 9.4% of the North American population. Sedentary lifestyles and food choices act in concert to increase diabetic risk factors and incidence.
 
Pterocarpus marsupium water-soluble extracts from the Indian Kino tree have been traditionally used for control of blood sugar in Ayurveda. For centuries, an Ayurvedic method of controlling diabetes involved drinking a water extract of Pterocarpus obtained either by soaking pieces of the wood in water overnight or utilizing a tumbler carved from wood from the Indian Kino tree filled with water. As with many of Sabinsa’s ingredients, the company continues to expand traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern research, increasing access to time tested remedies for the benefit of human health.