A study to evaluate chalcurb® a standardized powder derived from the sap of the Angelica keiskei (Ashitaba) on markers of health in adults with metabolic syndrome

There is a growing trend for the use of medicinal plants for a variety of health concerns. One prevalent health concern is obesity. This is perhaps for good reason; in the United States from 2011 to 2012, nearly two-thirds of adults were obese or overweight.1 Both pharmaceutical and behavioral interventions have had a limited success rate, suggesting that prevention may be the ideal approach. Ashitaba, also known as Angelica keiski, is a plant found to contain a class of physiologically active flavonoids known as chalcones, which are abundantly found in the sap and to a lesser extent in the leaf and roots.2–7 Of the more than 20 chalcones that are found in ashitaba sap, two are 4-hydroxyderricin (4-HD) and xanthoangelol (XA).2–5 Specifically, in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the antiobesity and anti-diabetic actions of ashitaba and its associated active chalcones.3 In a recent study, it was found that administration of isolated 4-HD from ashitaba in hyperglycemic KK-Ay mice resulted in modest suppression of elevated blood glucose levels without adverse side effects.5 Compared to the complete suppression of the development of diabetes via pioglitazone administration, daily consumption of ashitaba has been considered beneficial to hyperglycemic individuals not undergoing drug treatment for diabetes.5