As the global population ages, the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes is increasing, highlighting the importance of effective treatment options. Researchers at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, collaborating with Genizer, have explored advancements in managing this condition. To understand their findings, it is essential to grasp the basics of diabetes.
Researchers in South Africa used citrus peels to look for diabetes treatment options. Image Credit: Genizer
Carbohydrates are found in many foods, including breads. Image Credit: Genizer
Carbohydrates, found in foods like bread and fruits, are composed of sugars. The body metabolizes these carbohydrates into simple sugars, which insulin then converts into energy or stores. Individuals with diabetes face challenges related to insulin, necessitating assistance in regulating their blood sugar levels to avoid hyperglycemia, a condition that can lead to severe health issues, including death.
You may be familiar with insulin treatment for diabetes. Image Credit: Genizer
If you know someone with diabetes, you might be aware of insulin use for blood sugar management. However, other treatment options exist, such as acarbose. Acarbose works by inhibiting amylolytic enzymes, which convert starches into simpler sugars, effectively lowering blood sugar levels.
While insulin helps remove sugars from the bloodstream, acarbose prevents their formation. α-amylase initiates sugar digestion, and α-glucosidase further breaks down smaller sugars into glucose. Acarbose may offer a more straightforward and cost-effective treatment regimen compared to insulin. However, it can cause side effects due to the undigested starches in the digestive tract. This occurs because acarbose significantly inhibits α-amylase, leaving many starches unprocessed.
Researchers Kadima Samuel Tshiyoyo, Ali Rabbad, Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf, and Samkelo Malgas investigated essential oils from citrus peels as potential inhibitors of amylolytic enzymes. They screened essential oils from tangerines and oranges for their pharmacokinetic properties, discovering that they exhibited greater bioavailability and intestinal absorption than acarbose. They tested commercially available components of these oils for their ability to inhibit amylolytic enzymes. While these components did not significantly inhibit α-amylase, some were effective against α-glucosidase.
The researchers used tangerine and orange peels to source the essential oils. Image Credit: Genizer
Combining acarbose with essential oil compounds like carveol or geraniol reduced α-amylase inhibition while increasing α-glucosidase inhibition. This suggests a potential for lowering starch levels without causing spikes in blood sugar. Notably, carveol combined with acarbose showed a lower percentage of undigested starch compared to geraniol, although carveol alone produced too many smaller sugar particles.
The researchers used Genizer's Particle Sizer to conduct their research. Image Credit: Genizer
Genizer’s Dual Light Nanoparticle Sizer was employed to measure the size of starch particles, indicating enzymatic inhibition's effectiveness. Further research could be beneficial to determine if the combination of acarbose and carveol can minimize side effects and enhance treatment for Type 2 Diabetes.
Reference
- Tshiyoyo, K.S., et al. (2025). Combination of citrus peel-derived essential oils with acarbose to inhibit amylolytic enzymes – A potential type II diabetes treatment approach. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, (online) 306, p.141504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.141504.
About Genizer
Genizer™, located in Technology Link in Greater Los Angeles, is dedicated to advancing homogenizer nanotechnology.
The company provides high-pressure homogenizers, liposome extruders, sanitary heat exchangers, diamond interaction chambers, and high-pressure gauges compatible with other brands of high-pressure homogenizers, pumps, and microfluidizers.
Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments.