During our studies characterizing functional substances from food resources for the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases, we isolated the active constituents, salacinol (1) and neokotalanol (4), and related thiosugar sulfoniums, from the roots and stems of the genus Salacia plants [Celastraceae (Hippocrateaceae)] such as Salacia reticulata Wight, S. oblonga Wall., and S. chinensis L., and observed their antidiabetic effects. These plant materials have been used traditionally in Ayurvedic medicine as a specific remedy at the early stage of diabetes, and have been extensively consumed in Japan, the United States, and other countries as a food supplement for the prevention of obesity and diabetes. Here, we review our studies on the antidiabetic effects of plants from the genus Salacia, from basic chemical and pharmacological research to their application and development as new functional food ingredients.
Graphic abstract
Keywords: Salacia, Salacinol, Neokotalanol, α-glucosidase inhibitor, Diabetes, Functional food
Author Biographies
Toshio Morikawa, Pharmaceutical Research and Technology Institute, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-osaka, Osaka, 577-8502 Japan
Antiaging Center, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-osaka, Osaka, 577-8502 Japan
Kiyofumi Ninomiya, Pharmaceutical Research and Technology Institute, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-osaka, Osaka, 577-8502 Japan
Present Address: School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University, 1-6-1 Nishigawara, Naka-ku, Okayama, Okayama 703-8516 Japan
Genzoh Tanabe, Pharmaceutical Research and Technology Institute, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-osaka, Osaka, 577-8502 Japan
Faculty of Pharmacy, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-osaka, Osaka, 577-8502 Japan
Masayuki Yoshikawa, Pharmaceutical Research and Technology Institute, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-osaka, Osaka, 577-8502 Japan
Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 1 Shichono-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto, 607-8412 Japan
Osamu Muraoka, Pharmaceutical Research and Technology Institute, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-osaka, Osaka, 577-8502 Japan
Faculty of Pharmacy, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-osaka, Osaka, 577-8502 Japan
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