Evaluating the effects of the plant-based polyphenol-rich extract TOTUM-63 on glucose control in patients with prediabetes or early-stage type 2 diabetes.

This study evaluated the effects of the plant-based polyphenol-rich extract TOTUM-63 on glucose control in patients with prediabetes or early-stage newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D). The data showed that TOTUM-63 was safe and lowered fasting blood glucose in these patients. 

Patients with prediabetes are at a high risk of developing T2D. T2D is a condition in which patients have high blood glucose (sugar) levels (hyperglycemia). Long-term high blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels, nerves, and organs. This can lead to complications such as heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, loss of sight, and nerve damage.

TOTUM-63 is a blend of 5 plant-based biomolecules with a high content of polyphenolic compounds. It contains a mixture of extracts from olive leaf (Olea europaea), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), artichoke (Cynara scolymus), chrysanthellum (Chrysanthellum indicum), and black pepper (Piper nigrum). Animal studies showed that TOTUM-63 improves glucose metabolism. However, the effects of TOTUM-63 on glucose control in patients with prediabetes or early-stage newly diagnosed T2D are still unknown.

The study involved 51 patients with prediabetes or early-stage newly diagnosed T2D. 38 patients received TOTUM-63 (5g/day) and 13 patients received a placebo for 6 months.

The blood glucose concentration after fasting and after the 2 hours oral glucose tolerance test was reduced in the TOTUM-63-treated group compared with the placebo group.

TOTUM-63 significantly reduced body weight gain (by 1.9 kg), waist circumference (by 4.5 cm), circulating triglycerides (a type of fat; by 0.54 mmol/L), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ("bad cholesterol"; by 0.38 mmol/L) compared with placebo.

TOTUM-63 was safe with manageable side effects.

This study concluded that TOTUM-63 improved glucose control in patients with prediabetes or T2D. The authors suggested that TOTUM-63 was safe with manageable side effects and could be a promising candidate for T2D prevention.

This study was supervised by Biofortis, the manufacturer of TOTUM-63. The sample size was very small. Larger studies are necessary to validate the conclusions.