ABSTRACT
Advances in microbiome research demonstrate the fundamental role played by the human microbiome in health and disease. Disruption or imbalance in the microbiome may cause changes in metabolic activities which result in disease such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or lead to its progression. Recent studies have shown that the use of microbiome modulators– nutritional and/or pharmaceutical products which rebalance the disrupted microbiome – can re-establish the body back into a state of health. For many years, IMO Labs has been involved in the development of microbiome modulators to resolve chronic problems. This poster presents an approach for developing phytosynbiotics – orally administered co-fermented probiotic, prebiotic and plant candidates – which can contribute to health improvement and disease management. This poster also presents results from a human study which shows that the phytosynbiotic formulation PVG is effective in the regulation of glucose and cholesterol.
INTRODUCTION
A proprietary technology platform has been developed to prepare orally administered phytosynbiotic formulations by fermenting plants with a consortium of probiotics. During the fermentation process, extra polymeric prebiotics are produced, enveloping and protecting the entire microbial community when ingested, from the digestive juices of the gastrointestinal tract.
By varying the composition of plants and probiotics, different phytosynbiotic formulations with different beneficial effects are created. Certain phytosynbiotic formulations have been observed to regulate metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and gout. Another formulation has been observed to have a positive influence on brain function and mental performance.
WHAT ARE PHYTOSYNBIOTICS?
Phytosynbiotics are unique formulations of plants with known healing properties fermented with probiotic lactic acid bacteria. During fermentation, beneficial plant nutrients and prebiotics are released, resulting in a synergistic augmentation of the benefits and healing properties of the combination.
PHYTOSYNBIOTICS = PLANT NUTRIENTS + PROBIOTICS + PREBIOTICS
The technology consists of a proprietary platform for developing phytosynbiotics deploying multi-stage fermentation, complex substrates and metagenomics. Animal studies have shown that phytosynbiotics can shift gut microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract by suppressing the undesirables.
PVG FORMULATION
The plants used in the PVG formulation are momordica charantia (bitter gourd/bitter melon) and moringa oleifera. The probiotic consortium used is composed of Lactobacillus brevis, L. buchneri, L. delbreuckii, L. paracasei and L. plantarum.
KEY RESULT
Results show that
- PVG is significantly more effective than the oral anti-diabetic non-insulin drug;
- PVG is as effective as insulin in lowering the blood glucose levels of diabetic patients;
- PVG has the effect of lowering low-density lipoprotein, increasing high-density lipoprotein;
- PVG has the effect of lowering liver enzymes;
- PVG can reduce body mass index.
TRIAL SETUP
- Human Trial to compare efficacy of PVG vs oral anti-diabetic non-insulin drug and insulin
- Conducted in a hospital setting in the Philippines
- 166 diabetic patient volunteers (>7% HbA1c)
- 3 groups receiving the following treatment:
- Oral non-insulin drugs (Oral anti-diabetic medication)
- Subcutaneous insulin injection (Insulin)
- PVG formulation (Phytosynbiotics)
- Monthly monitoring over period of 5 months
- Measurement of HbA1c, cholesterol (LDL, HDL) and liver enzymes (ALT, AST)
RESULTS
CONCLUSION
Preliminary comparative studies show that the phytosynbiotic formulation PVG is effective in regulating glucose and cholesterol levels of diabetic patients. We are seeking collaboration to conduct more clinical trials to validate the data and further studies to elucidate the underlying mechanisms which regulate glucose and cholesterol levels in the body.
This poster was presented at the conference on The Gut, Its Microbes and Health: New Knowledge and Applications for Asia, organised by the International Life Sciences Institute in Singapore from 8 to 9 October 2014, and it won the Best Poster Award.
For more information, kindly contact: sales@freshwerkz.com