Dahlia Flower Extract 'shows promise' in Treating Pre-diabetes

Otago University researchers are ready to test a natural extract from the dahlia plant on humans with prediabetes. An extract from the flowering dahlia plant may hold the secret to warding off the precursor to diabetes, Otago University researchers say.

Over three years of research, researchers found the extract lowered the spikes in blood sugar levels after a meal in pre-diabetic mice without any noticable side effects, principal investigator, Dr Alexander Tups of Otago's neuroendocrinology centre said. ups said it meant the extract "shows promise" for people with pre-diabetes, as his team calls for Wellington-based pre-diabetic men to take part in the next phase of testing.

Otago University endocrinologist Associate Professor Jeremy Krebs says pre-diabetes provides a window of time to reverse the process to diabetes. If the results fall in the researchers' favour, the product could be available within two years.

Pre-diabetes – the diagnosis given when someone has higher-than-normal blood sugar levels – affects about a quarter of New Zealand adults. About 70 per cent of people with pre-diabetes will develop diabetes if they do nothing, Otago endocrinologist, Associate Professor Dr Jeremy Krebs, said. "So it is a time when there is a chance to reverse the process."

The capsule works by targeting specific symptoms which contribute to the development of diabetes. The goal is to demonstrate the extract lowers spikes in blood glucose during a glucose tolerance test – the gold standard for detecting diabetes in humans, Tups said. "If taken early before diabetes develops it may stop the progression to diabetes. It might be prescribed together with lifestyle interventions but possibly it may even stop the progression to diabetes if taken on its own." People might only need to take it for a certain amount of time in order to reverse the disease, Tups said. Research on mice has shown the extract to considerably reduce blood-glucose levels. 

Krebs said the product "shows huge potential to positively impact millions of people worldwide". At least 20 pre-diabetic men aged between 18 and 65-years-old are needed from the Wellington area to take part in a preliminary clinical study.

Dr Tups gave assurances that the plant was safe. "It is a natural extract from an edible plant so we anticipate it to be very safe."

Though still in development, the product has already sparked interest from companies in New Zealand and overseas. Those taking part in the preliminary clinical study – being conducted in the endocrine, diabetes and research centre at Wellington Hospital – would need to visit four times to have blood samples taken after taking a capsule of the dahlia extract, followed by a glucose drink.

Men keen to take part should contact the research centre, by email on diabetesresearch@ccdhb.org.nz, or phone 04 806 2458. Those who take part will receive a small payment for their time.

How do I know if I have pre-diabetes?

A blood test could determine if you have pre-diabetes, and people who have a family history of diabetes, or think they are at risk should visit their doctor. MÄori, Pacific and Asian people are at greater risk of pre-diabetes.

There's also an online, 1-minute test, designed by the American Diabetes Association which can tell you whether you're at risk. Take the test

Source: www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/101217207/dahlia-flower-extract-shows-promise-in-treating-prediabetes, viewed 7 February 2018