AyurvedaDiabetes MellitusSalacia oblonga

Indian herb, Salacia oblonga, lowers blood sugar in diabetics

This is the second successful study of this herb, which is native to regions of India and Sri Lanka.

First, the details.

  • 66 patients with type 2 diabetes received 3 treatments in random order.
  • A standard liquid control meal
  • A control meal + 240 mg Salacia oblonga extract
  • A control meal + 480 mg Salacia oblonga extract
  • The patients and researchers were not told which treatment was given (blinded).

And, the results.

  • Both doses significantly lowered blood sugar levels — 14% and 22% for 240 mg and 480 mg, respectively.
  • Both doses significantly decreased the insulin response following a meal compared to the control meal alone.

The bottom line?
These results advance the earlier study in healthy volunteers. I guess the next step is a long-term study to show changes in A1c.

7/21/07 19:49 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.