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Phlorizin

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Also listed as: Phloridzin
Related terms
Background
Evidencetable
Tradition
Dosing
Safety
Interactions
Attribution
Bibliography

Related Terms
  • Dihydrochalcone glucoside, dihydrochalkone, flavonoids, gamma-PGA-phloridzin conjugates, glucosides, phenolic glucoside, phloretic acid d-glucose, phloretin, phloretin 2'-glucoside, phloretin 2'-O-beta-D-glucoside, phloretin 2'-O-glucose, phloridzin dihydrate, phlorin, phlorizin (1-[2-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-4,6-dihydroxyphenyl]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-propanone), phloroglucinol, phytoestrogens, polyphenols.

Background
  • Phlorizin, also known as phloridzin, is a compound found in several fruit trees, including apple and cherry, and the bark of pear trees.
  • Experts have suggested that phlorizin may block glucose (sugar) absorption from the intestines and increase glucose loss in the urine.
  • Phlorizin and its analogs (similar chemical compounds) are being investigated for the treatment of diabetes, obesity, and stress hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels). At this time, clinical studies investigating effects of phlorizin are lacking.

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 *
* 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.

  • Cancer prevention, cardiovascular health, diabetes, food additive, obesity.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)

  • There is no proven safe or effective dose for phlorizin in adults.

Children (under 18 years old)

  • There is no proven safe or effective dose for phlorizin in children.

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.

Allergies

  • Avoid in patients with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to phlorizin.

Side Effects and Warnings

  • There is currently a lack of information on adverse effects associated with phlorizin. Side effects may include overeating. Phlorizin is considered toxic by some experts.
  • Phlorizin may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may need to be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
  • Use cautiously in patients with eating disorders, due to the potential for overeating.
  • Use cautiously in patients with lipid disorders or in those taking drugs that lower cholesterol.
  • Use cautiously in patients taking cardiovascular agents (drugs for the heart and vascular system).
  • Use cautiously in patients taking drugs for the central nervous system.
  • Use cautiously in patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, due to insufficient safety evidence.
  • Avoid in patients with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to phlorizin.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

  • Use cautiously in patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, due to insufficient safety evidence. Although it has not been well studied in humans, phlorizin may have negative effects in pregnancy and lactation.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs

  • Phlorizin may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
  • Phlorizin may also interact with acetaminophen, anticancer agents, antivirals, blood cholesterol-lowering agents, butanediol, cardiovascular agents, central nervous system agents, cetrimide, epinephrine, gentamicin, gold thioglucose, glucagon, glycerol, heparin, hormones, hydrocortisone, osteoporosis medications, respiratory agents, skin products, theophylline, and thyroxine.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

  • Phlorizin may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may require monitoring, and doses may need adjustment.
  • Phlorizin may also interact with anticancer herbs and supplements, antivirals, antioxidants, blood cholesterol-lowering herbs and supplements, cardiovascular herbs and supplements, central nervous system herbs and supplements, flavonoids, glycocoll, indoleacetic acid, isoflavones, osteoporosis herbs and supplements, respiratory herbs and supplements, skin products, and thujone-containing herbs and supplements.

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
  1. Andlauer, W., Kolb, J., and Furst, P. Phloridzin improves absorption of genistin in isolated rat small intestine. Clin.Nutr. 2004;23(5):989-995.
  2. Bradford, B. J. and Allen, M. S. Phlorizin induces lipolysis and alters meal patterns in both early- and late-lactation dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 2007;90(4):1810-1815.
  3. Bradford, B. J. and Allen, M. S. Phlorizin administration does not attenuate hypophagia induced by intraruminal propionate infusion in lactating dairy cattle. J Nutr. 2007;137(2):326-330.
  4. Bradford, B. J. and Allen, M. S. Phlorizin administration increases hepatic gluconeogenic enzyme mRNA abundance but not feed intake in late-lactation dairy cows. J Nutr. 2005;135(9):2206-2211.
  5. Defronzo, R. A. Acute Effect of Phlorizin on Plasma Glucose Levels & Hepatic Glucose. 2001;
  6. Ehrenkranz, J. R., Lewis, N. G., Kahn, C. R., et al. Phlorizin: a review. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2005;21(1):31-38.
  7. Freitas, H. S., D'Agord, Schaan B., da Silva, R. S., et al. Insulin but not phlorizin treatment induces a transient increase in GLUT2 gene expression in the kidney of diabetic rats. Nephron Physiol 2007;105(3):42-51.
  8. Gromova, L. V. [Influence of phloretin and phloridzin on digestive and adsorptive characteristics of rat small intestine.]. Zh.Evol.Biokhim.Fiziol. 2006;42(4):365-370.
  9. Gupte, A. and Buolamwini, J. K. Synthesis and biological evaluation of phloridzin analogs as human concentrative nucleoside transporter 3 (hCNT3) inhibitors. Bioorg.Med Chem Lett. 2-1-2009;19(3):917-921.
  10. Ikumi, Y., Kida, T., Sakuma, S., et al. Polymer-phloridzin conjugates as an anti-diabetic drug that inhibits glucose absorption through the Na+/glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) in the small intestine. J Control Release 1-4-2008;125(1):42-49.
  11. Masumoto, S., Akimoto, Y., Oike, H., et al. Dietary phloridzin reduces blood glucose levels and reverses Sglt1 expression in the small intestine in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. J Agric.Food Chem 6-10-2009;57(11):4651-4656.
  12. Puel, C., Quintin, A., Mathey, J., et al. Prevention of bone loss by phloridzin, an apple polyphenol, in ovariectomized rats under inflammation conditions. Calcif.Tissue Int. 2005;77(5):311-318.
  13. Tian, W. X. Inhibition of fatty acid synthase by polyphenols. Curr Med Chem 2006;13(8):967-977.
  14. Wang, Q., Qiu, L., Chen, X. R., et al. Inhibitory effects of phloridzin dihydrate on the activity of mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) tyrosinase. Bioorg.Med Chem 2-1-2007;15(3):1568-1571.
  15. Zhao, H., Yakar, S., Gavrilova, O., et al. Phloridzin improves hyperglycemia but not hepatic insulin resistance in a transgenic mouse model of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes 2004;53(11):2901-2909.

Copyright © 2011 Natural Standard (www.naturalstandard.com)


The information in this monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. Information is based on review of scientific research data, historical practice patterns, and clinical experience. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions.

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