A new study has found that Caralluma fimbriata, a cactus-like plant traditionally used in India as a famine food, may be beneficial for the suppression of high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats (J Physiol Biochem. 2014 Jun;70(2):311-20).

The study found that feeding Caralluma fimbriata extract (CFE) to rats on a 90-day, high-fat diet prevented the development of health-threatening disorders such as hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), hyperinsulinemia (high insulin), hyperleptinemia (high serum leptin) and hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides), as well as reducing oxidative stress.

Researchers indicated that the effects produced by CFE are “nearly comparable" to those produced by the classical insulin sensitizer drug Met, indicating that they may act similarly. In conclusion, researchers said, “CFE could be a beneficial adjuvant therapy for management of pre-diabetic state of IR (insulin resistance)."

In 2013, two double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials found statistically significant decreases in waist circumference in human experimental groups taking Caralluma fimbriata compared to placebo groups.

Gencor offers a patented extract of Caralluma fimbriata as an appetite suppressant under the brand name Slimaluma. It is self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe), Kosher, Halal and is available as certified organic.

“The results of this study are a welcome addition to the growing body of clinical research related to the global health problem of obesity," said Paul Clayton, Ph.D., chief scientific advisor at Gencor. “Given that prolonged use of pharmaceutical insulin sensitizers such as Met often produce unwanted side effects, and that the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of indigenous medicinal plants, this study provides additional support for Caralluma fimbriata’s long history of safe and efficacious use."