Anti-diabetic Effect of Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Tea in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Hanoi Medical University

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2; Phase 1

Conditions: Type 2 Diabetes

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea; Dietary Supplement: Placebo tea

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00786500

Diabetes II

Study 1

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects on blood glucose concentrations and possible adverse effects of an extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP). This is a plant growing in the mountain regions of Northern Vietnam and previously being used in traditional medicine. The GP extract, or placebo, was randomized to newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes and administered as a "tea", 3 g two times daily during 12 weeks. All patients received instructions regarding diet and physical exercise. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed at baseline and then every 4 weeks, and blood tests were taken with the purpose to monitor lipids, kidney and liver function, body weight and blood pressure.

Full description

In Vietnam, herbal extracts have been used as a long-standing tradition to treat diabetic patients, but effects of these extracts have not been studied adequately. Based on previous results in experimental animals, we have selected the plant Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP), which grows in the mountain region of Northern Vietnam. GP extract had a hypoglycemic effect on mice and rats, and was shown to contain a substance, phanoside, which stimulates insulin secretion. In addition, GP has been shown to reduce both hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in diabetic Zucker fatty rats.

The present study aimed at investigate effects of GP extract, administered as a "tea", and compared with placebo in a randomized, double-blind trial in drug-naive patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. All patients also received instructions about diet and physical exercise. In addition to monitoring effects on plasma glucose regulation, we also studied possible effects on plasma lipids, kidney and liver function as well as body weight and blood pressure.

Enrollment: 24 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 70 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Newly diagnosed, drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes
• Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 7.0-14.0 mmol/l
• HbA1c > 6%

Exclusion criteria

• Type 1 diabetes
• Liver failure
• Kidney Failure

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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24 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea

Active Comparator group

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea

Placebo tea

Placebo Comparator group

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo tea