Efficacy and safety of a dieckol-rich extract (AG-dieckol) of brown algae, Ecklonia cava, in pre-diabetic individuals: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Food Funct. 2015 Mar;6(3):853-8. doi: 10.1039/c4fo00940a.

Abstract

The effects of 12 weeks of supplementation with a dieckol-rich extract (AG-dieckol) from brown algae, Ecklonia cava, on glycemic parameters, serum biochemistry, and hematology were investigated in this study. Eighty pre-diabetic male and female adults were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with parallel-group design. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups designated as placebo and AG-dieckol (1500 mg per day). Compared with the placebo group, the AG-dieckol group showed a significant decrease in postprandial glucose levels after 12 weeks. The AG-dieckol group also showed a significant decrease in insulin and C-peptide levels after 12 weeks, but there was no significant difference between the AG-dieckol and placebo groups. There were no significant adverse events related to the consumption of AG-dieckol, and biochemical and hematological parameters were maintained within the normal range during the intervention period. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that AG-dieckol supplementation significantly contributes to lowering postprandial hyperglycemia and in reducing insulin resistance. Furthermore, we believe that based on these results the consumption of phlorotannin-rich foods such as marine algae may be useful for the treatment of diabetes.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzofurans / adverse effects
  • Benzofurans / therapeutic use*
  • Biological Products / adverse effects
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use*
  • C-Peptide / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / prevention & control
  • Dietary Supplements* / adverse effects
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / prevention & control
  • Hyperinsulinism / prevention & control
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Phaeophyceae / chemistry*
  • Phaeophyceae / growth & development
  • Prediabetic State / blood
  • Prediabetic State / diet therapy*
  • Prediabetic State / metabolism
  • Republic of Korea
  • Seaweed / chemistry*
  • Seaweed / growth & development

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Biological Products
  • C-Peptide
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • dieckol