Nutraceutical Eriocitrin (Eriomin) Reduces Hyperglycemia by Increasing Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 and Downregulates Systemic Inflammation: A Crossover-Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

This double-blind, randomized, placebo/controlled, crossover study evaluated the efficacy of Eriomin^® in reducing hyperglycemia and improving diabetes-related biomarkers in individuals with hyperglycemia above 110 mg/dL (mean 123 ± 18 mg/dL). Subjects (n = 30), divided into two groups (Eriomin or Placebo), who received a dose of 200 mg/d of the designated supplement for 12 weeks and, after a washout period of 2 weeks, switched to the other supplement in the following 12 weeks. Assessments of biochemical, metabolic, inflammatory, blood pressure, anthropometry, and dietary parameters were performed at the beginning and end of each intervention. Treatment with 200 mg/d of Eriomin significantly decreased blood glucose (-5%), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (-11%), glucagon (-13%), interleukin-6 (-14%), tumor necrosis factor alpha (-20%), and alkaline phosphatase (-13%); but increased glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) by (17%) (P ≤ .05). At the end of the placebo period, there was a 13% increase in triglycerides (P ≤ .05). Other parameters evaluated did not change with Eriomin or placebo. In conclusion, intervention with Eriomin benefited the glycemic control of prediabetic and diabetic patients, with higher blood glucose levels, by increasing GLP-1 and decreasing systemic inflammation.

Keywords: GLP-1; citrus flavonoids; eriocitrin; hyperglycemia; nutraceutical; systemic inflammation.

FIG. 1.

Experimental design of a 26-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study. From 96 candidates, 45 individuals were selected and randomly divided into two groups: Placebo (n = 22) and Eriomin (n = 23). For 12 weeks, they received a daily dose of the designated supplement, and then switched to the other supplement for the next 12 weeks. All underwent a 2-week washout period between treatments.

FIG. 2.

Event sequence after treatment with Eriomin for 12 weeks in prediabetic patients with moderate to high levels of hyperglycemia (110 to 150 mg/dL). GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide 1; IL-6, interleukin 6; NFκB, nuclear factor kappa B; PPARγ, peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor gamma; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor alpha.