Euromed’s fig extract supports muscle metabolism and insulin sensitivity

30 Jul 2020 --- Further research backing Euromed’s ABAlife fig extract has found that it can increase muscle metabolism and promote insulin sensitivity. The mouse study was carried out by the Nutritional Immunology and Molecular Medicine Laboratory (NIMML) in the US and found that the extract promotes glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity while decreasing obesity-related systemic inflammation. According to Euromed, the proprietary fig extract is purified using a patent-pending carefully controlled process to achieve a high, standardized ABA content. 

ABA is a phytohormone found in fruits as well as vegetables and is also produced in mammals. In humans and mice, lanthionine synthetase C-like 2 (LANCL2) has been characterized as a natural receptor for ABA. 

“This study is the culmination of decades of research regarding how ABA exerts its antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties, and the validation of LANCL2 as the molecular target for ABA in skeletal muscle,” highlights Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera, who is one of the authors. 

“We already validated the safety and tolerability of fig extract-derived ABA in a Phase I clinical trial in healthy people, during which we demonstrated glycaemic improvements. These new insights further support the clinical development of ABA and take us one step closer to Phase II clinical testing in prediabetic patients,” he affirms.

ABAlife fig extract can increase muscle metabolism and promote insulin sensitivity. “Differently from the silver bullet approach of synthetic medicines, botanical extracts can deliver multiple advantages and target multiple issues, offering benefits in terms of prevention, but also for improving health and performances at any age,” Andrea Zangara, Head of Scientific Communications and Marketing tells NutritionInsight.

Two different Type 2 models
The study examined two different mouse models of Type 2 diabetes by modulating the metabolic activity of skeletal muscle. ABA increases the expression of glycogen synthase, glucose, fatty acid and mitochondrial metabolism genes and increases direct measures of fatty acid oxidation, glucose oxidation and metabolic flexibility in muscle cells from ABA-treated obese mice.

The results of this study postulate ABA as a new preventive or therapeutic intervention to improve glycaemic control and decrease obesity related systemic inflammation in patients with chronic metabolic diseases. The researchers are planning to advance ABA to Phase II clinical trials in prediabetic and Type 2 diabetes patients later this year. 

About 84 million of US citizens have prediabetes, which is associated with a high risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke, the company notes. Therefore, there is a crucial need to develop more effective dietary interventions that can avoid prediabetes and prevent the progression from prediabetes to diabetes.

Building on science and accreditations
Euromed’s ABAlife has also recently obtained Self-Affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) designation. A GRAS expert panel of independent scientists concluded unanimously that ABAlife is recognized as safe under the conditions of intended use as described in its dossier in a wide range of F&B categories. 

In addition, the American Botanical Council (ABC) welcomes the adoption of fig (Ficus carica) by Euromed through its Adopt-an-Herb botanical research and education program. It is Euromed’s second adoption through ABC’s program, with milk thistle (Silybum marianum) being the first. 

Last year, researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia found the fig extract as possible to be used as a supplement to maintain healthy blood sugar levels or as an adjunctive treatment for chronic metabolic disorders, such as prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.They supported that the extract improves glucose tolerance, assists insulin release and may help to lower postprandial blood glucose levels, as well as offer anti-inflammatory and adaptogen properties. 

Meanwhile, the company is active with more natural ingredients. Silibinin sourced from Euromed SA’s milk thistle extract is the latest ingredient to come under the microscope in the fight against COVID-19. Silibinin, a key component of flavonoid silymarin, will be used in a clinical trial called SilCOVID19 for oncohematological patients diagnosed with the coronavirus. 

Furthermore, during a Vitafoods Digital Week webinar, Euromed spotlighted ingredients for healthy aging covering mental agility, glycemic control and heart health, as well as skin and hair health. This came as the company’s natural olive and pomegranate polyphenol extracts can offer synergistic heart health and blood flow supporting effects, according to new research. With a regular intake, the natural active substances produced by the Spain-based company’s supplements, Mediteanox and Pomanox, may also help reduce cardiovascular risk. Inspired by the phytochemical compounds found in the Mediterranean diet, Euromed hopes to provide the benefits of the diet in targeted supplements, curbing CVD.

By Kristiana Lalou