Liquorice Root Compound May Counter Diabetes

Whereas the nuclear receptor PPAR-gamma (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) plays a central role in lipid and glucose metabolism, the PPAR- gamma -targeting drugs currently available have undesirable side effects. As a result, scientists are exploring n ingestible natural products as potential nutritional interventions. Sascha Sauer, from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (Germany), and colleagues identified that amorfrutins, found in the root of liquorice, as well as in the fruit of the Amorpha fruticosa bush, exert anti-inflammatory effects, as well as a potential to help manage blood sugar levels. Specifically, the team observed that, in an animal model, “amorfrutin treatment strongly improves insulin resistance and other metabolic and inflammatory parameters without concomitant increase of fat storage or other unwanted side effects such as hepatoxicity.”  Remarking that teas of liquorice will not deliver a therapeutic dose of amorfrutins, the team has developed a special extraction process to maximize the amorfrutins yielded from the source plants.