Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Tea for Type 2 Diabetes Management

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.