title: A Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds/fruits extract benefits glucose homeostasis and adiposity related markers in elderly overweight/obese subjects: a longitudinal, randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutritional intervention study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of an extract obtained from seeds/fruits of an Oleaceae (Fraxinus excelsior L.) on glucose homeostasis and associated metabolic markers in non-diabetic overweight/obese subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed in 22 participants (50-80 years-old; BMI 31.0 kg/m(2)). The design was a longitudinal, randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled 7-week nutritional intervention. The participants received daily 3 capsules each containing either 333 mg of an extract from Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds (Glucevia(®)) or placebo capsules (control) in a random order for 3 weeks with 1 week of washout between treatments. Moreover, they followed a balanced covert energy-restricted diet (-15% energy). All variables were measured at the beginning and at the end of each period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to baseline, the administration of 1 g of Glucevia(®) for 3 weeks resulted in significantly lower incremental glucose area under the curve (-28.2%; p<0.01), and significantly lower 2 h blood glucose values (-14%; p<0.01) following an oral glucose tolerance test. No significant changes were found in the control group (-7.9% AUC, -1.6% 2h blood glucose). Furthermore, significant differences were found between responses in the control and Glucevia(®) groups with respect to serum fructosamine and plasma glucagon levels (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). Interestingly, administration of Glucevia(®) significantly increased the adiponectin:leptin ratio (p<0.05) and decreased fat mass (p<0.01) compared to control (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The administration of an extract from Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds/fruits in combination with a moderate hypocaloric diet may be beneficial in metabolic disturbances linked to impaired glucose tolerance, obesity, insulin resistance and inflammatory status, specifically in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, CIBERobn. Carlos III Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zulet
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, CIBERobn. Carlos III Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Navas-Carretero
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lara y Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abete
authors.affiliation: Naturex SA, Site d'Agroparc BP 1218, 84911 Avignon Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Flanagan
authors.affiliation: Naturex Spain SL, Autovia A3, Salida 343, Camino de Torrent s/n, 46930 Quart de Poblet, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Issaly
authors.affiliation: Naturex SA, Site d'Agroparc BP 1218, 84911 Avignon Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fança-Berthon
authors.affiliation: Naturex SA, Site d'Agroparc BP 1218, 84911 Avignon Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bily
authors.affiliation: Naturex SA, Site d'Agroparc BP 1218, 84911 Avignon Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roller
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, CIBERobn. Carlos III Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: jalfmtz@unav.es.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Martinez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D031661:Fraxinus / Q000737:chemistry*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000188:drug therapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Diabetes; Fraxinus excelsior L.; Fructosamine; Herbal medicine; Impaired glucose tolerance; Obesity