Effect of Gymnema sylvestre Administration on Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity, and Insulin Secretion

Abstract

Gymnema sylvestre is a medicinal plant whose consumption has demonstrated benefits on lipid and glucose levels, blood pressure, and body weight (BWt). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of G. sylvestre administration on metabolic syndrome (MetS), insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 24 patients (without pharmacological treatment), 30-60 years old, with diagnosis of MetS in accordance with the modified International Diabetes Federation criteria. Patients were randomly assigned to receive G. sylvestre or placebo twice daily before breakfast and dinner in 300 mg capsules for a total of 600 mg per day for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, the components of MetS were evaluated as well as BWt, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Area under the curve of glucose and insulin, phases of insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank, Mann-Whitney U, and chi-square tests; P ≤ .05 was considered statistically significant. After G. sylvestre administration, significant decreases in BWt (81.3 ± 10.6 kg vs. 77.9 ± 8.4 kg, P = .02), BMI (31.2 ± 2.5 kg/m vs. 30.4 ± 2.2 kg/m, P = .02), and VLDL levels (0.45 ± 0.15 mmol/dL vs. 0.35 ± 0.15 mmol/dL, P = .05) were observed, without modifying the components of MetS, insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, G. sylvestre administration decreased BWt, BMI, and VLDL levels in subjects with MetS, without changes in insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity.

Inhibition of adhesive nanofibrillar mediatedStreptococcus gordonii - Candida albicansmono- and dual-species biofilms

“…The GAs rich gymnema extract has been used in 97 humans for treating diabetes and obesity (Baskaran et al, 1990;Porchezhian and Dobriyal, 98 2003;Leach, 2007). A recent clinical study confirmed the traditional use of G. sylvestre for 99 diabetes(Zuniga et al, 2017). We have shown that GAs inhibit the growth of hyphae 100 (polarized growth) without affecting the yeast form of growth (isometric growth) 101(Vediyappan et.…”

“…including lowering blood glucose activity in diabetic patients and reducing obesity 402 (Porchezhian and Dobriyal, 2003;Leach, 2007;Zuniga et al, 2017). 403 404…”

Gymnemic Acids Inhibit Adhesive Nanofibrillar Mediated Streptococcus gordonii–Candida albicans Mono-Species and Dual-Species Biofilms

“…The GA-rich gymnema extract has been used in humans to treat diabetes and obesity (Baskaran et al, 1990; Porchezhian and Dobriyal, 2003; Leach, 2007). A recent clinical study confirmed the traditional use of G. sylvestre for diabetes (Zuniga et al, 2017). Since S. gordonii and other oral bacteria use C. albicans hyphae for their attachment (Bamford et al, 2009) and GAs block the hyphal growth of C. albicans , we wanted to test the hypothesis that prevention of C. albicans hyphal growth using GAs could abolish bacteria – C. albicans interactions and the formation of mixed biofilms.…”

“…GAs are a family of triterpenoid saponin compounds which are the major active principles of G. sylvestre plant leaves. The extract of this plant is widely used for its various medicinal properties, including lowering blood glucose activity in diabetic patients and reducing obesity (Porchezhian and Dobriyal, 2003; Leach, 2007; Zuniga et al, 2017).…”

Risk assessment of substances used in food supplements: the example of the botanical Gymnema sylvestre

“…As such, human intervention studies in which Gymnema preparations were administered to those suffering from glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus (both insulin dependent and non‐insulin dependent), with or without concomitant administration of antidiabetic drugs, were also evaluated for the safety of the preparations (e.g. Baskaran et al., ; Shanmugasundaram et al., ; Al‐Romaiyan et al., ; Zuniga et al., ). Furthermore, studies on the effects of formulas containing G. sylvestre in combination with other herbs and/or micronutrients were also studied for potential toxicity (e.g.…”