Effect of supplementation of traditional medicinal plants on blood glucose in non-insulin-dependent diabetics: a pilot study

J Med Food. 2005 Winter;8(4):545-9. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2005.8.545.

Abstract

The effect of supplementation of a powdered mixture of three traditional medicinal plants-bittergourd, jamun seeds, and fenugreek seeds-in raw and cooked form on blood glucose was studied in 60 non-insulin-dependent male diabetics. The patients were divided into two groups of 30 each. The patients of group I were given the raw powdered mixture in the form of capsules; the patients of group II were given this mixture in the form of salty biscuits. Daily supplementation of 1 g of this powered mixture for a 1.5-month period and then a further increase to 2 g for another 1.5 months significantly reduced the fasting as well as the postprandial glucose level of the diabetic patients. A significant decrease in oral hypoglycemic drug intake and decline in percentage of the subjects who were on hypoglycemic drugs were found after the 3-month feeding trial. It was concluded that 2 g of a powdered mixture of traditional medicinal plants in either raw or cooked form can be successfully used for lowering blood glucose in diabetics.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose / analysis*
  • Desiccation
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood*
  • Diet*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Fruit*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents*
  • Male
  • Momordica
  • Plants, Medicinal*
  • Powders
  • Seeds
  • Trigonella

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Powders