l-arabinose (PLA General Hospital Seventh Medical Center)

L-arabinose is a naturally occurring five-carbon sugar (pentose) that is utilized as an osmotic laxative for bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy. It is poorly absorbed in the small intestine, which creates an osmotic gradient that draws water into the intestinal lumen, thereby increasing stool volume and facilitating colon cleansing. In addition to its osmotic properties, L-arabinose is a potent and selective competitive inhibitor of the intestinal enzyme sucrase (part of the sucrase-isomaltase complex). By inhibiting sucrase, it prevents the breakdown of sucrose into glucose and fructose, which can help manage postprandial blood glucose levels. In clinical trials, such as those conducted by The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, L-arabinose is formulated as a syrup and evaluated for its efficacy and safety in outpatients undergoing screening for colorectal neoplasms, often compared against standard polyethylene glycol (PEG) electrolyte solutions.

Brand names

L-Arabic syrup

Other names

L-ArabinoseL-Arabinose syrup