Effect of gymnema inodorum tea on blood sugar in type 2 diabetic out-patients at Lerdsin Hospital

Abstract

This study examined the effects of Gymnema inodorum tea on blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic patients at Lerdsin Hospital. The participants (n = 12) participated in this study comprising two consecutive phases including the controlled phase (8 weeks) which they received only prescribed drugs and the treatment phase (8 weeks) which G. inodorum tea was supplemented after three meals in addition to their prescribed drugs. The biochemical parameters were analyzed at week 0, week 8, and week 16. The results showed that fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) did not significantly change throughout the study. There were also no significant differences in the serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride. In the aspect of hepatic and renal functions, the results showed that serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and serum creatinine did not significantly change throughout the study. In this study, there was no serious adverse effect after G. inodorum tea supplementation. The study indicated that short-term G. inodorum tea supplementation had no effect on blood sugar level and lipid profiles. It also did not affect hepatic and renal functions.