Researchers from the University of Murcia (UCAM) and the Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia in Spain have conducted a groundbreaking study that sheds light on the effects of carob extract—moving beyond prior tests done only on animal models or healthy individuals.
The LVLD extract developed by Planttech is standardized to harness naturally occurring inositols from carob pods, such as D-pinitol, myo-inositol, and D-chiro-inositol.
According to Ignacio Zauldua, Planttech’s CEO, the positive clinical outcomes stem from the synergistic interplay between D-pinitol and the broader array of natural bioactives found in the carob syrup matrix. This includes polyphenols and micronutrient cofactors that create what is termed an “entourage effect.”
“The published data on D-pinitol is substantial, and while we were encouraged by preliminary pilot studies, the statistically significant improvements we observed in HbA1c, glucose metabolism, and insulin sensitivity among prediabetics surpassed our expectations,” Zauldua remarked. “These significant findings from a randomized controlled trial involving individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes mark a substantial breakthrough; we are thrilled.”
The results of the study were published in Nutrients and highlighted during the Planttech Symposium at Vitafoods Europe (May 5–7), where a strong focus on metabolic health was evident.
“Consumers are increasingly aware of glucose management and postprandial responses, particularly thanks to wearable glucose monitors and expanded metabolic health tracking,” added Zauldua. “As a result, more companies are expressing interest in evidence-based ingredients that support healthy glucose metabolism in typical dietary forms.”
Diabetes Disease Prevention
Prediabetes is marked by elevated blood glucose levels that exceed the normal range. Individuals with prediabetes are at a heightened risk of progressing to Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and the gradual dysfunction of β-cells, which currently affects over 463 million people worldwide.
The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants in alleviating insulin resistance has garnered significant interest due to their natural richness in compounds such as alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, flavonoids, gallotannins, and other polyphenols, all of which exhibit hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties.
The Study
This 90-day randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was carried out at the Health Sciences Department of Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM). The study involved 52 participants (25 in the active group and 27 in the placebo group), consisting of 27 men and 25 women, with an average age of 45.6 ± 13.9 years.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the carob extract or a placebo. The daily dosage amounted to 6.66 g, split into two doses of 3.33 g each. The supplement was provided in sachets, to be mixed with 100 mL of water or juice and consumed 30 minutes before lunch and dinner over a consecutive 90-day period.
Assessment of the study occurred on three separate occasions—baseline, day 45, and day 90. Venous blood samples were collected after a 12-hour fast for evaluations of the glycemic profile, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), insulin resistance and sensitivity indexes, lipid profile, in addition to standard hematological and biochemical tests. Furthermore, fasting and postprandial capillary blood samples were taken, and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Throughout the trial, participants maintained a nutritional diary.
Results indicated that participants who consumed the active carob product exhibited improvements in HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) and glucose levels when compared to the placebo group.
Fasting serum insulin results showed a significant reduction within the experimental group, where insulin indices improved notably. The OGTT revealed significant enhancements in the area under the curve (AUC) for both glucose and insulin, along with the glucose peak, observed solely in the experimental group.
The product proved to be well tolerated, with no adverse side effects reported.
Researchers acknowledged the study’s limitations, including its single-center design, small sample size, and the relatively short intervention period of 90 days.
Mechanism of Action
Discussing the mechanism behind the active ingredient, the report highlights previous research that demonstrated an aqueous extract of carob leaves can reduce glucose absorption both in vivo and in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, a methanolic extract of carob pods has shown inhibitory effects against amylase and glucosidase in diabetic rat models induced by streptozotocin and nicotinamide.
Other experimental studies have further validated that various carob-derived products can effectively inhibit essential enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion.
“Immature carob has demonstrated the capacity to lower intestinal glucose absorption by interfering with sodium-dependent transport, thereby aiding in the improvement of glycemic control,” the report notes, adding that the insulin regulatory effects of carob are closely linked to its rich content of D-pinitol, an inositol compound known for its insulin-mimetic and insulin-sensitizing mechanisms.
Zauldua expressed the team’s intent to broaden their clinical program with larger and longer-duration studies, particularly focusing on prediabetic and metabolically challenged populations.
“We are also keen to explore the role of the broader carob bioactive matrix and the ‘entourage effect’ in supporting glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity,” he concluded.
Source: Nutrients; doi: 10.3390/nu18101521; “Effects of Specific Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Liquid Concentrate on Glucose Metabolism in Subjects with Prediabetes: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial”, Authors: Pérez-Piñero, S. et al.
