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Glycosides

Also known as: Glycosides, Steviol glycosides, Tripterygium glycosides, Stevioside

Overview

Glycosides are a broad class of naturally occurring compounds consisting of a sugar moiety bound to a non-sugar moiety (aglycone). They are found in various plants and have diverse applications. Steviol glycosides, extracted from the Stevia plant, are primarily used as non-caloric sweeteners, offering a sugar substitute for calorie reduction. Tripterygium glycosides, derived from Tripterygium wilfordii, are used in traditional medicine for their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. While steviol glycosides are generally recognized as safe with minimal side effects, tripterygium glycosides require careful medical supervision due to their immunosuppressive effects and potential adverse events. Research on glycosides ranges from moderate to advanced, with varying levels of evidence supporting their different applications.

Benefits

Steviol glycosides have shown limited or modest metabolic benefits, with meta-analyses indicating non-significant reductions in BMI, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose. Cardiovascular effects, such as systolic blood pressure reduction, were also non-significant. Tripterygium glycosides have demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with improvements in SLEDAI scores across multiple RCTs. They are also effective in treating diabetic nephropathy, showing clinical improvements after 3-6 months of treatment, with meta-analyses supporting efficacy and acceptable safety profiles. Dosage regimens typically range from 1.0–1.5 mg/kg/day or fixed doses (e.g., 20 mg three times daily), with treatment durations from 1 to 6 months for tripterygium glycosides.

How it works

Steviol glycosides act primarily as non-nutritive sweeteners, stimulating sweet taste receptors without significantly impacting blood glucose levels. They may have minor effects on glucose metabolism and blood pressure, possibly through insulin sensitivity modulation, although the exact mechanisms are unclear. Tripterygium glycosides exhibit immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects by modulating immune cell function and cytokine production. They target molecular pathways involved in autoimmune inflammation, such as NF-κB signaling and T-cell regulation. The bioavailability of tripterygium glycosides is influenced by formulation and dosing, with oral absorption being the primary route of administration.

Side effects

Steviol glycosides are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) with minimal reported side effects. Tripterygium glycosides, however, pose safety concerns, including potential immunosuppression-related infections and gastrointestinal side effects. Adverse events have been reported but are generally manageable within monitored clinical settings. Tripterygium glycosides are contraindicated in pregnancy, and caution is advised in immunocompromised patients. Due to their immunosuppressive properties, careful monitoring is essential to mitigate potential risks. Drug interactions should be carefully considered, especially with other immunosuppressants or medications affecting the immune system.

Dosage

For steviol glycosides, typical doses vary depending on the sweetener concentration, as they are primarily used as food additives rather than therapeutic agents. There is no established therapeutic dose for metabolic effects. For tripterygium glycosides, effective doses range from 1.0 to 1.5 mg/kg/day or 20 mg three times daily. Treatment duration has been studied from 1 month up to 6 months. Clinical monitoring is required for safety. It is important to note that these dosing guidelines are specific to tripterygium glycosides and should be followed under medical supervision.

FAQs

Are glycosides safe?

Steviol glycosides are safe for general consumption. Tripterygium glycosides require medical supervision due to immunosuppressive effects.

Do glycosides aid weight loss or blood pressure?

Steviol glycosides show minimal to no significant impact on weight or blood pressure.

Can tripterygium glycosides be used long-term?

Evidence supports use up to 6 months with monitoring; long-term safety data are limited.

Research Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25412840/ – This systematic review of RCTs found no significant effect of steviol glycosides on BMI, blood pressure, or fasting glucose. The findings suggest limited metabolic benefits associated with steviol glycoside consumption. The study highlights the need for further research to validate any potential metabolic effects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10436586/ – This meta-analysis of 8 RCTs (n=538) demonstrated a significant reduction in disease activity scores with tripterygium glycosides compared to controls in patients with SLE. The results support the efficacy of tripterygium glycosides in managing autoimmune disease activity. The study provides evidence for the clinical use of tripterygium glycosides in SLE treatment.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/9/1965 – This article discusses the potential health benefits and safety of steviol glycosides as sugar substitutes. It reviews the current scientific literature on their impact on glucose metabolism, blood pressure, and body weight. The review concludes that while steviol glycosides are generally safe, their metabolic benefits are modest and require further investigation.
https://academic.oup.com/eurjpc/article-abstract/22/12/1575/5926348 – This study investigates the effects of steviol glycosides on cardiovascular risk factors. The results indicate that steviol glycosides have a non-significant impact on systolic blood pressure. The study suggests that steviol glycosides may not provide significant cardiovascular benefits.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.656621/full – This systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed the clinical efficacy and manageable safety profile of tripterygium glycosides in treating diabetic nephropathy after 3-6 months of treatment. The study resolves prior clinical guidance conflicts regarding the use of tripterygium glycosides. The findings support the use of tripterygium glycosides as a therapeutic option for diabetic nephropathy.