Frutarom to Launch New Purslane Extract

The extract aids in optimizing sugar metabolism, which leads to a normalization of blood glucose levels. Maintaining healthy blood glucose levels has a significant impact on an individual‘s health, quality of life and life expectancy.

20/03/09 At this year’s Vitafoods, Frutarom will introduce Portusana (EFLA308), a branded purslane herb extract. As confirmed in clinical trials, Portusana supports improved sugar metabolism, leading to healthy blood glucose levels.

Anecdotal hints about the beneficial effects of the herb purslane on blood glucose metabolism have triggered intensive investigations, culminating in the lab-scale development of a clinically supported purslane herb extract. Frutarom Switzerland Ltd. has taken this ingredient through process optimization, industrial scale-up and further scientific testing, making it commercially available under the brand name Portusana. The extract aids in optimizing sugar metabolism, which leads to a normalization of blood glucose levels. Maintaining healthy blood glucose levels has a significant impact on an individual‘s health, quality of life and life expectancy.

Our blood glucose level can affect how hungry and how energetic we feel and determine whether we burn fat or store it. Higher than normal blood glucose levels – a state also called pre-diabetes – are extremely common, with as many as 40 per cent of 40-74 year olds estimated to have the condition in the US and over 60 million in Europe. More than 30 per cent of people with pre-diabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of people with diabetes is expected to increase alarmingly in the coming decades from an estimated 30 million people worldwide in 1985 to 380 million in 2025.

As confirmed by proprietary studies, Portusana positively affects blood glucose metabolism by acting on three different mechanisms: It reduces the transport of glucose from the intestine into the bloodstream; it increases the uptake of glucose from the blood into cells, and it modulates the sensitivity of cells to insulin, a hormone that controls blood glucose levels. The overall effect is confirmed by the results of a placebo-controlled, 12-week double blind clinical trial in type 2 diabetic patients with concomitant oral blood glucose lowering medication. In this trial, purslane herb extract significantly reduced the concentration of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a long term marker for blood glucose control.

Physical activity, weight control and healthy eating are essential and effective means of supporting healthy blood glucose levels and preventing or delaying the development of type 2 diabetes. Due to its triple mode of action on blood glucose metabolism, Portusana – in a food supplement or in a phytopharmaceutical application – supports dietary measures, helping to stabilize blood glucose levels and, as a result of this, potentially affecting blood glucose-related appetite. An international patent application for the use of purslane herb extract with an indication for blood glucose modulation is currently pending.

The fleshy leaves of Portulaca oleracea L with their slightly peppery taste are appreciated as a culinary ingredient worldwide, and are consumed as vegetable, salad or soup. Purslane has a long tradition of use as a medicinal plant. It can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, who used it as a remedy for a variety of ailments such as head and stomach aches, as well as painful urination.