Bergamot-cynara extract helps reduce liver fat and inflammation in diabetes, according to a new study in which 80 subjects participated.

Results of a recent clinical study show that Bergacyn, a patented botanical extract blend for digestive and metabolic support marketed in the U.S. by DolCas Biotech, has beneficial effects in reducing liver steatosis (excess fat in the liver), inflammation, and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes.

The nutraceutical, which was introduced to the U.S. market by DolCas last fall, has a 17% flavonone polyphenol and 5% cynaropicrin content when blended in process with micronized bergamot pulp fibers.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted by Musolino, Gliozzi, Bombardelli, et alia spanned 16 weeks, and its results were published this month in The Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine.

“Bergacyn’s unique blending of a high polyphenol extract of bergamot and a high-sesquiterpene extract of artichoke leaf showed a novel synergistic benefit that was more than additive, when compared to stand-alone, single doses of bergamot or cynara extract,” Shavon Jackson-Michel, DolCas medical and scientific affairs director, said. “The potentizing action as a function of the patented process used enhances Bergacyn’s bioactivity.”

80 subjects were divided into four treatment subgroups: placebo, 600 milligrams of Bergacyn, 600 milligrams of a non-proprietary bergamot extract blend, and a 600 milligram cynara extract blend.

Statistically significant changes, with a P-value of less than 0.05, were seen in all parameters related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pateints in the Bergacyn group.

Biopsies showed that liver fat accumulation regressed two levels on average in the Bergacyn group, from severe to mild, according to the hepatorenal index parameter.

Unlike other inverventions, Bergacyn saw more substantial reductions in AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase), liver damage enzymes that define the more destructive stages of NAFLD. ALT and AST levels were reduced by 15 and 18 points respectively with a P-value of less than 0.05 in the Bergacyn group. The groups using standalone bergamot or cynara extracts saw ten-point reductions on average, and there were no AST or ALT changes in the control group.

The Bergacyn group also recorded the greatest quantitative increase in antioxidation and fibrosis intervention (via reduced scar tissue mediators) and anti-inflammatory action (via reduced TNF-a), all with a P-value of less than 0.001.

The significantly improved biomarkers were the suggested mechanism in additionally improving endothelial function for the Bergacyn group (p<0.05). The array of benefits in this study led researchers to conclude that evidence supports Bergacyn’s multi-angled approach in supporting NAFLD-complicated diabetes subjects.

NAFLD has doubled every two decades since 1988, and now affects about 25% of the human population. Paralleling the obesity epidemic, NAFLD is now projected to cost Americans more than $1 trillion over the next ten years and result in rising cases of advanced cardiovascular disease and liver failure, according to Bergacyn.

Bergacyn claims it is the first solvent- and excipient-free extract to exhibit proven liver support in steatosis. The condition, which is largely attributable to lifestyle choices, is metabolically active, setting the stage for chronic health concerns to develop or for existing ones to worsen.

This is a massively important development which has the potential to save lives, spare literally billions of people from worsening disease, and save a tremendous amount of unnecessary expense in health care.