Salacia

Related Terms

Abruslactone, beta-daucosterol, beta-sitosterol, catechins, Celastraceae (family), celastrol, chundan, dihydroxyfriedelin, diterpenes, egallic acid, ekanayaka, epicatechin, ethyl gallate, foliasalacin, foliasalacioside, friedelane, friedelin, friedelinol, friedooleanan, gallic acid, hentriacontan, hentriacontanol, Hippocrateaceae (family), hydroxyfriedelan, hydroxyfriedelin, hydroxyisoiguesterin, hydroxymaytenin, ilogen-excel, isoiguesterin, isoiguesterinol, isoiguesterol, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, kathala hibutu, kotalagenin, kotalanol, lupeol, mangiferin, maytenin, mbondi, methylepigallocatechin, netzahualcoyene, netzahualcoyonol, normoretane, oleanane, oxoisoiguesterin, ponkoranol, ponkoranti, pristimerin, proanthocyanidins, quercetin, quinonemethide triterpenoids, regeol, Salacia chinensis, Salacia fimbrisepala, Salacia hainanensis, Salacia mamba, Salacia miegei, Salacia oblonga, Salacia petenensis, Salacia pynaertii, Salacia reticulata, salacin, salacinol, salaquinone, salasol, salasone, saptrangi, sulfonated kotalanol, tingenine, tingenone, tirucalladien, triptocalline, triterpenes, ursolic acid, ursolid acid.

Background

Salacia plant species are found in India, Sri Lanka, China, and other Southeast Asian countries. Salacia species have been used in traditional systems of medicine, such as Ayurveda and Unani, to treat diabetes, obesity, gonorrhea, rheumatism, itching, and asthma. Extracts from Salacia species (including Salacia chinensis, Salacia reticulata, and Salacia oblonga) are consumed in Japan, Korea, the United States, and India as a food supplement to prevent and manage obesity and diabetes.
There is limited research on the use of Salacia for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. More high-quality studies are needed.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


There is limited research on the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes with either Salacia reticulata tea or Salacia oblonga extract. Further research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.

 C


There is limited research on the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes with either Salacia reticulata tea or Salacia oblonga extract. Further research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
For diabetes, one dose of 240 milligrams or 480 milligrams of Salacia oblonga extract has been taken by mouth with a meal.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Salacia may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Salacia may also interact with agents used for the heart, antibiotics, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antimalarials, antiparasitics, lipid-lowering agents, and weight loss agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Jayakanthan, K., Mohan, S., and Pinto, B. M. Structure proof and synthesis of kotalanol and de-O-sulfonated kotalanol, glycosidase inhibitors isolated from an herbal remedy for the treatment of type-2 diabetes. J Am.Chem.Soc. 4-22-2009;131(15):5621-5626.
Jayawardena, M. H., de Alwis, N. M., Hettigoda, V., et al. A double blind randomised placebo controlled cross over study of a herbal preparation containing reticulata in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. J Ethnopharmacol. 2-28-2005;97(2):215-218.
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