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Value Added Life
promotes health through its nutritional supplements that are made according to
the high quality standards prescribed by the South African Medicines Control
Council. Its advertisements strive to inform people about healthy living and
through sponsoring university research it improves our knowledge of indigenous
medicinal plants.
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Diabetes treatment breakthrough in Eastern Cape
Two biochemists from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) and their postgraduate students have conducted research into the effects of an indigenous South African plant on Diabetes 1 and 2 with astounding results. Their scientific experiments were undertaken over the course of six years with financial assistance from the Medical Research Council (MRC), the National Research Foundation and Value Added Life.
The plant Sutherlandia frutescens, a hardy herbal plant which grows
well in the Karoo, is widely used in South African medicine for the
treatment of many human ailments, including diabetes. These
researchers undertook a study to verify the claims made for diabetes
treatment and to investigate the safety aspect of this plant’s usage.
Using Sutherlandia, they have proved that the blood sugar of diabetic
rats stabilized to normal levels within a few days of being given an
extract of this plant. The experiments were carried out on rats since
the changes associated with the development of diabetes in these
animals are very similar to those occurring in humans.
Dr Saartjie Roux, who conducted the research alongside Dr Maryna Van de
Venter in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at NMMU,
said, “We also found that their sugar remained stable and within normal
range and did not go too low, as is often the case when diabetics
accidentally inject too much insulin.
“We further studied the effects of Sutherlandia on blood sugar if
insulin was also administered at the same time, and found that the
blood sugar remained at stable, normal levels and neither medication
was influenced by the other.
Eastern Cape natural medication manufacturer, Value Added Life uses an
extract of Sutherlandia in an over-the-counter natural medication
called Promune, which is already available in pharmacies in South
Africa. Promune was used in the experiments at NMMU.
“The extraction process is key in obtaining the right compounds from
this plant, and Promune provided us with the right combination of
compounds from the Sutherlandia plant,” said Dr Roux.
Pharmacist and CE of Value Added Life Johan Lottering explained,
“Promune differs from other Sutherlandia products in that it is made
from the extract of the plant and not from its dried leaves. This
facilitates more accurate and homogeneous doses.”
“We are also investigating the interaction of Promune with Diabetes 2
medication metformin to determine whether there may be negative drug
interaction,” Dr Roux said.
“The results of our findings have been published in the scientific
Journal of Ethnopharmacology. The research has been peer reviewed and
found scientifically sound.. The University of the Western Cape has
undertaken clinical toxicity studies on the plant and has declared it
safe for human use,” she said.
Although no human long-term studies of Sutherlandia are yet available,
no negative effects have been reported despite its extensive use in
Southern Africa over the last century. The study at the NMMU where
insulin resistant rats were given Promune for 9 months, showed no
adverse effects.
Dr Roux said, “Although the research at NMMU were carried out on an
animal model of diabetes, a number of people with both diabetes 1 and 2
who are already using Promune have informed us that they have achieved
excellent results in controlling their blood sugar”.
“It has led us to the point where we feel it would be unethical of us
not to inform the community at large about the positive effects of this
drug on diabetes. This could be a safe and inexpensive antidiabetic
treatment for diabetics in South Africa.”
Lottering further noted that Sutherlandia was classified as an
adaptogen, “Which means that it helps the body to adapt better to its
environment and increases its resistance against stress, be it
physical, chemical or biological. Adaptogens have been thoroughly
researched by various institutes and sports agencies and were found to
be safe, containing no drugs.
“Adaptogens work by supporting the adrenal function. The adrenal glands
manufacture and secrete steroid hormones such as adrenalin, cortisol,
oestrogen and testosterone. These hormones not only affect the
functioning of tissues, organs and glands in one's body but also the
way one feels and thinks. One of the main functions of the adrenals is
to enable one's body to deal with all types of stress.
“Scientifically identified compounds contributing to the efficacy of
Sutherlandia are L-canavanine, a non-protein amino acid; pinitol, a
type of sugar that occurs naturally in certain plants; GABA, an amino
acid and important neuro-transmitter (brain messenger); and asparagine,
a non-essential amino acid.
“L-canavanine has been well documented as having anti-cancer,
anti-viral and anti-microbial properties. Pinitol has a hypoglycaemic
effect, that is, the ability to reduce blood sugar levels. It can,
therefore, benefit diabetics and many health practitioners regard it as
a good insulin mimicker.
“GABA, Gamma Amino-Butyric Acid, is an important inhibitory
neuro-transmitter in the central nervous system and plays a crucial
role in helping to regulate brain messages. Researchers link GABA
deficiency to depression, panic attacks and anxiety.
“Asparagine assists the central nervous system to maintain a natural
balance between over-excitement and a too relaxed state. Low levels of
asparagine can lead to irritability, sleeplessness and depression. It
also stimulates the kidneys and liver to function effectively.
“Normally, a well balanced diet will provide sufficient quantities of
asparagine. This may change during illness. In such circumstances,
supplementing asparagine can play a vital role in assisting the body's
metabolism.
According to the Society for Biomedical Diabetes Research, “The
relevance of taking a supplement containing Sutherlandia for managing
diabetes appears to be attributable in particular to the content of
L-canavanine and pinitol in the plant. The article, outlining the
effectiveness of Sutherlandia on diabetes control, said that there is a
rationale for using Sutherlandia to prevent further ?-cell damage in
the pancreas of diabetic patients. Laboratory tests have shown
Sutherlandia could even act in an insulin-like fashion
Dr Roux said, “Although we know of some effects produced by single
compounds in Sutherlandia, in Promune these compounds may be acting
synergistically to greater clinical advantage than those described by
single compounds studies. The research at NMMU aims at identifying as
many of these compounds as possible.”
Lottering said that he had co-funded the experiments undertaken by the
NMMU biochemistry team because he would not make claims about his
product, Promune, without fully verified scientific research to back it
up.
Research on Sutherlandia is ongoing and further investigations will include clinical trials.
Dr Kotie Grove, Executive Director of the NMMU Trust, said, “This is
surely the most exciting research in the field of natural medication to
ever come out of the Eastern Cape. The product uses an indigenous plant
which is grown, extracted and manufactured into an over-the-counter
medication right here in our province. Even the implications in terms
of the cultivation of this plant as well as its harvesting are enormous
in terms of job creation.
The research is conducted in Port Elizabeth at NMMU and has been
independently verified by scientists in other parts of the world. We
are extremely proud of the achievements of all involved.”
Dr Roux said that it is known that the content and efficiency of herbal
medicine made from the same plant differs. The studies at NMMU were
done with Promune and it cannot be taken for granted that all products
made from Sutherlandia will have the same effects. Dr Roux said that
any diabetics using Promune or any other Sutherlandia product are
welcome to share their results with her (email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or postal address: Department of Biochemistry
and Microbiology (South Campus) Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031)
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