Randomized 30-Day Trial with Granulated Gymnema Green Tea to Reduce Blood Sugar

摘要

Objectives: To estimate quantitative evidence of blood glucose reduction by drinking granulatedmixture of Gymnema with green tea. The philosophy of this study was harm reduction through blood glucosemanagement for diabetes patients by empowering with health literacy and aligning to practicing healthybehaviour.Materials and Methods: This randomized control-trial was conducted from May 2009 to February 2010in Bangladesh on 127 hyperglycaemic adults (HbA1C > 6 and 2 hours after breakfast (2hrABF) blood glucoselevel >8mmol/L) with no evidence of any end organ damage. Eligible participants were divided into threegroups. Group-1 participants had HbA1C 6-6.4 and 2hrABF blood glucose level of 8-11mmol/L; Group-2comprised participants with HbA1C >6.4 and 2hr ABF blood glucose level >11mmol/L but declined to theirprimary physicians to take any hypoglycaemic drugs; and Group-3 participants took oral hypoglycaemic drugs(but wanted to quit the drugs). One on one structured health promotion (HP) intervention for lifestylemodification (e.g. diet, physical activity, and stress management) was given to every participant. Group-2 and 3were additionally supplied with herbal granulated mixture of Gymnema green tea (Gymnema 60% and Green tea40%). Participants drank 1 sachet (2.5g) tea three times a day after meals. Group-3 participants continued theiroral hypoglycaemic agents. Participants were followed-up every 10 days with measurement of 2hr ABF bloodglucose. Interim reminder and random follow-up for compliance were also arranged. Data analysis was done bySPSS software.Results: Mean age of the participants was 48.9 ± 10 year, mean height 159.2 ± 4.7 cm, and meanbaseline body weight 68.9 ± 10.4 kg. Group-1 (HP only) participants had mean blood glucose reduction of 1.09mmol/L after 30days of intervention. Mean reduction of blood glucose level was 2.54 mmol/L in Group-2; and2.95 mmol/L in Group-3 each after 30 days of intervention. Post-intervention blood glucose level significantlyreduced (p<0.01) from the baseline level in each of the groups. Rate of reduction was also significantly differentbetween Group-1 and each of Group-2 and Group-3. Reversal of blood glucose below 8 mmol/L was found in56.7% of Group-1 and 83.4% in Group-2 participants. Dose of oral hypoglycaemic drugs were required toreduce for 76.7% participants of Group-3 participants.Conclusion: This study outcome has limitations of generalizability. Amount of caffeine in the sampletea was not measured. Effect of Gymnema could not be separated from effect of green tea alone. However, thestudy design was consistent with minimal bias and the measurement tools were effective to attain reliable andvalid results. Granulated mixture of herbal Gymnema green tea significantly reduced blood glucose level.Participants using oral blood glucose lowering drugs with tea required to reduce quantity of drugs to maintainoptimal blood glucose level. Participants were satisfied with approach of having tea instead of drugs. This studyrecommends further RCT or Cohort study to advise hyperglycaemic people drinking 1 sachet (2.5g) ofGymnema green tea three times a day after meal.