Omija (Schisandra chinensis) Extract and Soybean Mixture Improves Glycemic Control in Hyperglycemic Subjects

by | Sep 27, 2022 | 2022, Blood Sugar, Botanicals, Diabetes

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. 12-week supplementation of an Omija extract and soybean mixture capsule resulted in significant improvement in plasma glucose levels compared to baseline (p=0.002, 0.023, 0.041). Furthermore, OSM subjects experienced lower insulin levels and insulin AUC compared to placebo, even after adjustment of the baseline (p=0.006, 0.011). 

diabetesDiabetes (DM) is a metabolic condition with a rapidly increasing incidence worldwide, it is estimated that the number of diabetic patients will reach 300 million by 20251. It is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and results from an interplay of genetic and environmental factors2. Almost 90% of all diabetes cases are type 2 diabetes (T2D) due to both insufficient insulin action (insulin resistance) and impaired insulin production by islet β cells in the pancreas3. T2D and its associated complications contribute to 8.4% of deaths worldwide, with numbers likely to rise exponentially given the increasing prevalence of the condition4.

A variety of functional foods and medicinal herbs have been used to prevent or manage diabetes. Omija (Schisandra chinensis) is an herbal plant containing many bioactive compounds, including lignans, triterpenes, phenolic acids, flavonoids, essential oils, and polysaccharides5.  These compounds possess various functional activities, such as antioxidant, immune-regulatory and anti-inflammatory properties6. Additionally, soybeans contain several physiologically active ingredients, such as soy phytosterol, soy isoflavones, and lecithin, which are reported to have hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties7. Previous research has noted the various functions of soy isoflavones, including their obesity-preventing effect and blood-glucose level reducing effect8.

Kim et al. conducted a single center, randomized, double-blind, and parallel trial to examine the synergistic effects of Omija extract and soybean mixture (OSM) on fasting and post-glucose and insulin levels, as well as insulin resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Subjects (n=63) were randomly allocated to either the OSM (n=34) or placebo (n=29) group and each given the product at every visit. The OSM capsule contained 125 mg OSM which was freeze-dried to powder and mixed with the soybean (Omija fruit 50% ethanol extract: soybean 1). Participants took 2 capsules, 2 times per day after breakfast and dinner. The study included a screening test which was performed within 2 weeks before visit 1 (week 0), with two further visits every 6 weeks.

Participants had anthropomorphic assessments, with additional laboratory tests to investigate levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelets. Blood samples were taken to assess cholesterol and kidney levels, along with a urinalysis. Subjects completed a dietary survey using a 3-day food record for previous weeks at screening, visit 1, and visit 2. Participants also completed the GPAQ, a physical activity questionnaire to investigate the level of physical activity of the subject.

Efficacy outcomes included assessing fasting plasma glucose (FPG) before intake of glucose solution and the supplements after 8 h of fasting at screening, visit 1, and visit 3. Additionally, a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at visit 1 (week 0) and visit 3 (week 12). After consumption of the solution and supplements, blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min, with estimated insulin levels also being obtained. The area under the curve (AUC) was evaluated for plasma glucose and insulin. Independent t-tests were used to compare continuous variables collected at baseline and visit 1 between the OSM and placebo groups. The Chi-square test was implemented to compare categorical variables. Significant findings of the 12-week study are as follows:

  • The OSM group experienced significant changes in plasma glucose levels at 0, 30, and 60 min within the group compared to the baseline at the end of the study (p=0.002, 0.023, 0.041).
  • A statistical difference was observed between the groups when adjusted on baseline FPG, HbA1c (p=0.020, 0.022, 0.002).
  • The OSM group experienced lower plasma insulin levels and AUC, with a significant difference in the PPI 60 min and insulin AUC compared with placebo even after adjustment of the baseline FPG and HbA1c (p=0.006, 0.011).
  • The OSM group experienced significantly reduced LDL-cholesterol (p=0.033) and a significant difference in LDL-cholesterol and free fatty acid levels when compared to placebo (p=0.036, 0.049).

Results of the study suggest that supplementation with Omija and soybean mixture improves glycemic control in hyperglycemic subjects. Improvements in glucose and insulin-related parameters were noted, along with positive changes in LDL-cholesterol levels. Further research should continue to explore OSM’s efficacy at different dosages and study durations.

Source: Kim, Da-Som, Hyang-Im Baek, Ki-Chan Ha, Youn-Soo Cha, and Soo-Jung Park. “Efficacy and Safety of Omija (Schisandra chinensis) Extract Mixture on the Improvement of Hyperglycemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.” Nutrients 14, no. 15 (2022): 3159.

© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted September 27, 2022.

Taylor Woosley studied biology at Purdue University before becoming a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a major in Writing. She currently resides in Glen Ellyn, IL.

References:

  1. Wang X, Li Q, Sui B, Xu M, Pu Z, Qiu T. Schisandrin A from Schisandra chinensis Attenuates Ferroptosis and NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis in Diabetic Nephropathy through Mitochondrial Damage by AdipoR1 Ubiquitination. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2022;2022:5411462. doi:10.1155/2022/5411462
  2. Ojo O. Dietary Intake and Type 2 Diabetes. Nutrients. Sep 11 2019;11(9)doi:10.3390/nu11092177
  3. Berbudi A, Rahmadika N, Tjahjadi AI, Ruslami R. Type 2 Diabetes and its Impact on the Immune System. Curr Diabetes Rev. 2020;16(5):442-449. doi:10.2174/1573399815666191024085838
  4. Nanayakkara N, Curtis AJ, Heritier S, et al. Impact of age at type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis on mortality and vascular complications: systematic review and meta-analyses. Diabetologia. Feb 2021;64(2):275-287. doi:10.1007/s00125-020-05319-w
  5. Nowak A, Zakłos-Szyda M, Błasiak J, Nowak A, Zhang Z, Zhang B. Potential of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. in Human Health and Nutrition: A Review of Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Perspectives. Nutrients. Feb 4 2019;11(2)doi:10.3390/nu11020333
  6. Lee JH, Lee YY, Lee J, Jang YJ, Jang HW. Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Essential Oil from Omija (Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.) Produced by Supercritical Fluid Extraction Using CO(2). Foods. Jul 13 2021;10(7)doi:10.3390/foods10071619
  7. Nakai S, Fujita M, Kamei Y. Health Promotion Effects of Soy Isoflavones. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2020;66(6):502-507. doi:10.3177/jnsv.66.502
  8. Wu Y, Lu Y, Ren D, Chen X, Yang X. Non-digestive stachyose enhances bioavailability of isoflavones for improving hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in mice fed with high fat diet. Journal of food and drug analysis. Mar 15 2021;29(1):87-97. doi:10.38212/2224-6614.3078