Melinjo Seed Extracts May Help Improve Diabetes And Obesity

Melinjo fruit contain high levels of antioxidant and antibacterial properties as well as high levels of polyphenols such as resveratrol that has been shown to induce adiponectin and may help to improve lifestyle related diseases such as metabolic syndrome. A type of resveratrol called Gnetin C which is found in MSE has higher antioxidant activity and has been shown to stay in the blood longer than resveratrol, but the exact mechanisms of how they exert their biological activity remains unknown. 

Genetic analysis was used to find that differences in the type of DsbA-L gene affects adiponectin activation; meaning that DsbA-L induction may promote adiponectin activation and help to improve lifestyle related diseases. Their recent research has attempted to determine whether MSE enhances the function of DsbA-L; whether MSE promotes adi[onectin activation; and whether MSE has a therapeutic effect on either obesity and diabetes. 

The first double blind placebo controlled and randomized study that involved 42 adult men taking oral MSE supplements for 14 days found taking 300mg of MSE daily activated adiponectin in males and that the effects varied depending on differences in the type of DsbA-L genes in the individual; the MSE effects were large in G/T or T/T genotype carriers whose gene expression levels was presumed to be low. 

Following the results of the clinical trials the compound was tested in a high fat diet mouse model with obesity induced diabetes: effects of MSE on DsbA-L expression and blood adiponectin concentration was measured in various tissues finding that daily oral administration of MSE over 4 weeks increased the expression of DsbA-L as well as the amount of activated adiponectin within the body. Diabetic pathologies in muscle tissue were found to have improved and well as symptoms such as increased fat accumulation and fasting blood sugar levels. 

When taken together the results published in Nature Scientific Reports suggest that MSE promotes DsbA-L expression which increases the levels of activated adiponectin, and this may help to improve obesity and diabetic symptoms in living organisms.  

"We believe that our findings can benefit human health through the treatment of obesity and diabetes by focusing on the induction of the DsbA-L gene using MSE," said Associate Professor Shuto. "We hope that this work contributes to a healthier society through the creation of innovative medicines and products from plants and other natural resources. It is important to provide solid scientific evidence that supports the use of natural resources in emerging countries and using them for beneficial drug discovery and health."