Ginseng therapy in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients

Diabetes Care. 1995 Oct;18(10):1373-5. doi: 10.2337/diacare.18.10.1373.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of ginseng on newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients.

Research design and methods: In this double-blind placebo-controlled study, 36 NIDDM patients were treated for 8 weeks with ginseng (100 or 200 mg) or placebo. Efficacy was evaluated with psychophysical tests and measurements of glucose balance, serum lipids, aminoterminalpropeptide (PIIINP) concentration, and body weight.

Results: Ginseng therapy elevated mood, improved psychophysical performance, and reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body weight. The 200-mg dose of ginseng improved glycated hemoglobin, serum PIIINP, and physical activity. Placebo reduced body weight and altered the serum lipid profile but did not alter FBG.

Conclusions: Ginseng may be a useful therapeutic adjunct in the management of NIDDM.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Affect*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • Body Weight
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / psychology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / therapy*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Health Status
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Male
  • Memory*
  • Middle Aged
  • Panax*
  • Peptide Fragments / blood*
  • Placebos
  • Plants, Medicinal*
  • Procollagen / blood*
  • Sleep
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Lipids
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Placebos
  • Procollagen
  • Triglycerides
  • procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide
  • Cholesterol