Abstract:
Gymnema lactiferum var. lactiferum is a climber distributed in many South
Asian countries. It is reported that the diabetic patients in Sri Lanka use G.
lactiferum leaves as a treatment for diabetes. However, scientific data is not
available on this plant. A clinical trial was conducted including 26, type 2
diabetic patients with hypercholesterolemia. The treatment group received a
suspension of G. lactiferum leaf powder twice daily for four weeks. Blood
parameters of both groups (treated and control) were determined at the be ginning and the end of the study period. Study indicates significant effects on
fasting blood sugar (p=0.002), cholesterol (p=0.004), and LDL lowering (p=
0.023) and a significant postprandial glucose lowering effect (p=0.026 for 60
min and p=0.022 for 120 min, after four weeks). In spite of the short study
period, a significant reduction (p=0.012) in HbA1C levels was also observed.
