salacinol

Salacinol is a naturally occurring sulfonium-ion thiosugar compound isolated from the roots and stems of Salacia species (notably Salacia reticulata and Salacia oblonga), plants used in traditional medicine. It is a potent inhibitor of intestinal alpha-glucosidases—enzymes responsible for breaking down complex carbohydrates into glucose in the gut. By inhibiting these enzymes (including maltase and sucrase), salacinol delays carbohydrate digestion and absorption after meals (postprandial), resulting in reduced blood glucose spikes. Its mechanism is similar to that of acarbose but with higher potency in some studies. The primary therapeutic interest for salacinol lies in managing type 2 diabetes by controlling postprandial hyperglycemia; it has also been explored as a lead compound for new antidiabetic drugs and functional foods targeting metabolic disorders[7][9][10].

Other names

neosalacinol[(2S,3S)-4-[(2R,3S,4S)-3,4-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)thiolan-1-ium-1-yl]-1,3-dihydroxybutan-2-yl] sulfate((2S,3S)-4-((2R,3S,4S)-3,4-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)thiolan-1‑ium‑1‑yl)-1,3-dihydroxybutan‑2‑yl) sulfate