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Horm Metab Res 2010; 42(5): 353-357
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1248298
Humans, Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Antidiabetic Effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Tea in Randomly Assigned Type 2 Diabetic Patients[*]

V. T. T. Huyen1 , 2 , 3 , D. V. Phan2 , P. Thang3 , N. K. Hoa1 , 2 , C. G. Östenson1
  • 1Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
  • 2Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • 3National Institute of Gerontology, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Publication History

received 17.08.2009

accepted after second revision 28.01.2010

Publication Date:
08 March 2010 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the antidiabetic effect of the traditional Vietnamese herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum in 24 drug-naïve type 2 diabetic patients. All patients were randomized to authenticated Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea or placebo tea, 6 g daily, during twelve weeks and received information regarding diet and exercise. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin levels, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) were measured before, during, and after the treatment. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed every four weeks. After 12-week treatment, fasting plasma glucose levels totally decreased to an extent of 3.0±1.8 mmol/l in the Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea group as compared to a decrease of 0.6±2.2 mmol/l in the control group (p<0.01). HbA1C levels after 12 weeks decreased approximately 2% units in the Gynostemma pentaphyllum group compared to 0.2% unit in the controls (p<0.001). Change in Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance between baseline and twelfth week indicated that insulin resistance decreased significantly in the Gynostemma pentaphyllum group (−2.1±3.0) compared with that (+1.1±3.3) in the control group (p<0.05). There were no hypoglycemias, or adverse effects regarding kidney and liver parameters or gastrointestinal function. In addition, lipid profiles, glucagon, cortisol levels, body measurements, and blood pressure were not different between the groups. This study shows a prompt improvement of glycemia and insulin sensitivity, and thereby provides a basis for a novel, effective, and safe approach, using Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea, to treat type 2 diabetic patients.

Key words

herbal medicine - type 2 diabetes - Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea - insulin sensitivity

1 This study is registered at ClinicalTrial.gov with ID: NCT00786500.*

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1 This study is registered at ClinicalTrial.gov with ID: NCT00786500.*

Correspondence

V. T. T. Huyen

Claes-Göran Östenson

Department of Molecular Medicine & Surgery

Endocrine & Diabetes Unit

Karolinska Institute

Karolinska University Hospital

17176 Stockholm

Sweden

Phone: +46/8/51776200

Fax: +46/8/51773096

Email: huyen.vu@ki.se

Email: claes.ostensson@karolinska.se