Gymnema sylvestre is emerging as a potential treatment for the management of diabetes. The phyto-constituents of Gymnema sylvestre are used in the treatment of diabetes and obesity (ref 2). Polyherbal formulations containing aqueous extracts of Gymnema sylvestre and other herbs show hypoglycemic activity in diabetic rats as well as reversed other diabetes complications (ref 3). The chemistry and pharmacology of Gymnema sylvestre has been reviewed based on research papers and patent literature.

Gymnema sylvestre preparations have profound action on modulation of taste, particularly sweet sensations. It is used in treatment of diabetes mellitus and in food additives against obesity and caries. Anti-allergic, antiviral, lipid lowering and other effects have also been reported (ref 6).

Research on crude saponin fraction and five triterpene glycosides derived from methanol extract of leaves of Gymnema sylvestre in diabetic rats indicate that insulin-releasing action of gymnemic acid IV may contribute to the antihyperglycemic effect of leaves of Gymnema sylvestre. Gymnemic acid IV may be an anti-obese and antihyperglycemic pro-drug (ref 7).

Therapeutic potential of Gymnema sylvestre for treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) has been examined the results confirm the stimulatory effect of Gymnema sylvestre on insulin release and indicate that Gymnema sylvestre acts by increasing cell permeability, rather than stimulating exocytosis by regulated pathways (ref 8).

In ref 12 studies on diabetic patients to study the anti diabetic effect of a leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in NIDDM patients showed a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and glycosylated plasma proteins, and conventional drug dosage could be decreased. Data suggest that the beta cells may be regenerated/repaired in Type 2 diabetic patients on GS4 (Gymnema sylvestre aqueous extract) supplementation. GS4 therapy appears to enhance endogenous insulin, possibly by regeneration / revitalization of residual beta cells in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) as suggested by research in ref 13 and 14.

Effect of Gymnema sylvestre on glucose homeostasis in rats suggested the usefulness of Gymnema sylvestre in the treatment of certain classes of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

1. Gymnema sylvestre for Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review.

   J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Nov; 13(9):977-84.

2. Extraction and quantification of gymnemic acids through gymnemagenin from callus cultures of Gymnema sylvestre.

   Phytochem Anal. 2006 Nov; 17(6):409-13.

3. Effect of Dianex, a herbal formulation on experimentally induced diabetes mellitus.

   Phytother Res. 2005 May; 19(5):409-15.

4. Advances in the study on hypoglycemic constituents of Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.)

   Zhong Yao Cai. 2003 Apr; 26(4):305-7. Review. Chinese.

5. Effects of Inula racemosa root and Gymnema sylvestre leaf extracts in the regulation of corticosteroid induced diabetes mellitus: involvement of thyroid hormones.

   Pharmazie. 2003 Jun; 58(6):413-5.

6. An overview on the advances of Gymnema sylvestre: chemistry, pharmacology and patents.

   Pharmazie. 2003 Jan; 58(1):5-12. Review.

7. Antihyperglycemic effects of gymnemic acid IV, a compound derived from Gymnema sylvestre leaves in streptozotocin-diabetic mice.

   J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2000;2(4):321-7.

8. Gymnema sylvestre stimulates insulin release in vitro by increased membrane permeability.

   J Endocrinol. 1999 Nov; 163(2):207-12.

9. Gymnema sylvestre.

   Altern Med Rev. 1999 Feb;4(1):46-7.

10. Medicinal foodstuffs. IX. The inhibitors of glucose absorption from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre R. BR. (Asclepiadaceae): structures of gymnemosides a and b.Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1997 Oct; 45(10):1671-6.

11. Effects of seishin-renshi-in and Gymnema sylvestre on insulin resistance in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

    Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 1995 Jul; 29(1):11-7.

12. Antidiabetic effect of a leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients.

    J Ethnopharmacol. 1990 Oct; 30(3):295-300.

13. Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

    J Ethnopharmacol. 1990 Oct; 30(3):281-94.

14. Possible regeneration of the islets of Langerhans in streptozotocin-diabetic rats given Gymnema sylvestre leaf extracts.

    J Ethnopharmacol. 1990 Oct; 30(3):265-79.

15. Effect of Gymnema sylvestre, R.Br. on glucose homeostasis in rats.

    Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 1990 May-Jun; 9(2):143-8.

16. Hypoglycaemic activity of an indigenous drug (Gymnema sylvestre, ‘Gurmar’) in normal and diabetic persons.

    Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1983 Jul-Sep; 27(3):257-8.

All diabetics interested in lowering their blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels should take this herb into consideration in either seed or leaf form. It has also demonstrated some positive benefits for abnormalities associated with diabetic retinopathy. All references and links to the research are at the end of these short summations. This guide is a work in process, but there is plenty of information here to get you started.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds have shown to have hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic effects on type1 & type2 diabetes mellitus patients and experimental diabetic animals. Supplementation of fenugreek leaves lowers the lipid-profile in diabetes mellitus (ref.15). Supplementation with Fenugreek leaves improves body weight and liver glycogen and has a significant effect of carbohydrate metabolism similar to Glibenclamide (ref. 16). Studies (ref 3) indicate that soluble dietary fraction of fenugreek seeds exerts anti-diabetic effects mediated through inhibition of carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and enhancement of peripheral insulin action.

Fenugreek also corrected the alterations in the distribution of skeletal muscle glucose transporter GLU4 (ref 4). The results of study in ref 1 show enrichment of fenugreek extracts, which has implications for diet-based diabetes management.

Fenugreek and Sodium orthovandate alone or in low dose combination have been shown to effectively control ocular histopathological and biochemical abnormalities associated with diabetic retinopathy (ref 5). Low doses of Vandate and Trigonella in combination was effective in normalization of altered membrane linked functions and GLU4 distribution without any side effects (ref.6,7).

Another study concludes that 2g of a powdered mixture of 3 medicinal plants (bitter gourd, jamun seeds and fenugreek) in raw or cooked form can be successfully used n lowering blood glucose in diabetes (ref.8)

Research suggests that low doses of Na3VO4 in combination with Trigonella seed powder are an efficient antidiabetic agent to control long-term complications of diabetes in tissues such as peripheral nerves (ref. 9).

Fenugreek leaf powder reduces oxidative stress in experimental diabetes. Fenugreek supplementation significantly lowered lipid peroxidation and significantly increased antioxidant system in diabetic rats in research study (ref. 10).

Research studies have noted positive influence of feeding fenugreek seed mucilage and spent turmeric on intestinal and renal disaccharides and thus their beneficial role in diabetes management (ref.11).

The hypoglycemic activity of fenugreek seed extract is mediated through the stimulation of an insulin signaling pathway (ref.12)

Fenugreek seed powder protects against histopathological abnormalities in tissues as well as acts to normalize metabolism which proves its potential as an antidiabetic agent (ref.13).

Fenugreek seeds are rich in protein and contain the unique free amino acid 4-hydoxyisoleucine (4-OH-Ile), which has been characterized as one of the active ingredients for blood glucose control. Potential genotoxicity of fenugreek seed extract was evaluated using FDA recommended tests and it was determined not to be genotoxic (ref.14).

Research studies (ref.2) conclude that Fenugreek extract can lower kidney/body weight ratio, blood glucose, blood lipid levels and improve hemorheological properties in experimental diabetic rats.

1. Improved alpha-amylase and Helicobacter pylori inhibition by fenugreek extracts derived via solid-state bioconversion using Rhizopus oligosporus Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007; 16(3):382-92.
2. Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) extract on blood glucose, blood lipid and hemorheological properties in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007; 16 Suppl 1:422-6.
3. Soluble dietary fibre fraction of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seed improves glucose homeostasis in animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes by delaying carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and enhancing insulin action. Br J Nutr. 2007 Mar; 97(3):514-21.
4. In vivo effect of Trigonella foenum graecum on the expression of pyruvate kinase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and distribution of glucose transporter (GLUT4) in alloxan-diabetic rats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2006 Jun;84(6):647-54.
5. Long-term effect of Trigonella foenum graecum and its combination with sodium orthovanadate in preventing histopathological and biochemical abnormalities in diabetic rat ocular tissues. Mol Cell Biochem. 2006 Sep; 289(1-2):137-47. Epub 2006 May 23.
6. Low doses of vanadate and Trigonella synergistically regulate Na+/K + -ATPase activity and GLUT4 translocation in alloxan-diabetic rats. Mol Cell Biochem. 2006 Apr;285(1-2):17-27. Epub 2006 Apr 19.
7. Modulation of glucose transporter (GLUT4) by vanadate and Trigonella in alloxan-diabetic rats. Life Sci. 2006 Jan 18;78(8):820-4. Epub 2005 Nov 14.
8. Effect of supplementation of traditional medicinal plants on blood glucose in non-insulin-dependent diabetics: a pilot study. J Med Food. 2005 Winter;8(4):545-9.
9. Restoration of ultrastructural and biochemical changes in alloxan-induced diabetic rat sciatic nerve on treatment with Na3VO4 and Trigonella–a promising antidiabetic agent. Mol Cell Biochem. 2005 Oct; 278(1-2):21-31.
10. Supplementation of fenugreek leaves reduces oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Med Food. 2005 Fall;8(3):382-5.
11. Modulatory effect of fenugreek seed mucilage and spent turmeric on intestinal and renal disaccharidases in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2005 Jun; 60(2):87-91.
12. The hypoglycaemic activity of fenugreek seed extract is mediated through the stimulation of an insulin signalling pathway. Br J Pharmacol. 2005 Sep; 146(1):41-8.
13. Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder protects against histopathological abnormalities in tissues of diabetic rats. Mol Cell Biochem. 2004 Nov; 266(1-2):151-9.
14. Genotoxicity testing of a fenugreek extract. Food Chem Toxicol. 2004 Nov; 42(11):1769-75.
15. Supplementation of fenugreek leaves lower lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Med Food. 2004 Summer; 7(2):153-6.
16. Supplementation of fenugreek leaves to diabetic rats. Effect on carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in diabetic liver and kidney. Phytother Res. 2003 Dec; 17(10):1231-3.

Momordica charantia, also known as Bitter Melon or bitter gourd is a member of Cucurbitaceae family. Bitter Melon extracts (primarily from fruits) are used in a variety of diseases including diabetes, dyslipidemia, microbial infections, and potentially as a cytotoxic agent for certain types of cancer (ref 1). Bitter Melon is useful for diabetics as a blood sugar lowering agent, an anti-oxidant that can cut down on hyperglycemic damage and as an agent that can help the body utilize insulin. The following guide is a summation of much of the research currently available for this Diabetic Herb.

Bitter Melon extracts possess anti-diabetic, hepato-renal protective and hypolipidemic effect in diabetic rats. Thus, Bitter Melon is alternative therapy that has primarily been used for lowering blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus. Beneficial effects were observed in Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) metabolism during diabetes and it was postulated due to presence of dietary fibres present in bitter gourd and spent turmeric and presence of bioactive compounds in one or both of them (ref 4 ).

Experimental evidence was provided by research studies on dried bitter gourd powder in the diet at 10% level improved diabetic status signifying its beneficial effects during diabetes (ref 5). During diabetes structural and functional changes have been reported in alimentary tract and renal cortex which increases absorption of intestinal glucose and alternations in the activities of brush border dissacharidases. Feeding bitter gourd to diabetic rats showed positive influence on intestinal and renal dissacharidases making diabetic animals more tolerant to hyperglycermia (ref 6). Bitter Melon seeds extract- exerted rapid protective effects against lipid peroxidation by scavenging of free radicals thereby reducing the risk of diabetic complications (ref 7).

Memordica fruit extract and Sodium orthovandate exhibit hypolipedmic as well as hypoglycemic effect in diabetic rats (ref 8). According to research studies bitter melon has the potential to down-regulate insulin as well as preventative value with respect to a wide range of disorders. Parallels have been drawn between action of metformin and bitter melon including analogous effects on the hepatic activity certain enzymes of glucose-metabolism, increased expression of GLU4 in the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle and a tendency to prevent weight gain.

Aqueous extract powder of Bitter Melon, an edible vegetable, appears to be a safe alternative to reducing blood glucose. The aqueous extract powder of fresh unripe whole fruits was found to reduce fasting blood sugar by 48%, an effect comparable to that of Glibenclamide, a synthetic drug (ref 11).

The pharmacology, clinical efficiency, adverse effects, drug interactions of bitter melon have been studied in clinical trials (ref 12). Studies have been done to review the efficacy and safety of natural products commonly used for diabetes. Based on available evidence natural products like fenugreek, bitter melon, ginseng etc. can lower blood sugar in diabetic patients (ref 13).

Results of study on diabetic animals, suggests that changes in hepatic phase I and phase II
Drug metabolizing enzyme activities in STZ-induced diabetic animals may be associated with the altered expression of different CYP (Cytochrome 450) and GST (Glutathione-S-transferase) drug metabolizing isoenzymes.

It has been reported that ethyl acetate extract of bitter melon activated peroxisome proliferator receptors (PPRAs) alpha and gamma. PPRAs are ligand-dependent transcription factors that belong to the steroid hormone nuclear receptor family and control lipid and glucose homeostatis in the body (ref 2). Results of research study suggest that Bitter Melon juice and alcohol extracts caused a significant decrease in serum urea, creatinine, ALT, AST, AP, cholesterol and triglyceride levels (ref 3).

1. Momordica charantia (bitter melon) - Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 2007 Dec; 12(4):360-3.

2. Fractionation and identification of 9c, 11t, 13t-conjugated linolenic acid as an activator of PPARalpha in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). J Biomed Sci. 2006 Nov; 13(6):763-72. Epub 2006 Sep 6.

3. Some toxicological studies of Momordica charantia L. on albino rats in normal and alloxan diabetic rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Nov 24; 108(2):236-42. Epub 2006 May 26.

4. Effect of bitter gourd and spent turmeric on constituents of glycosaminoglycans in different tissues in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Mol Cell Biochem. 2006 Jun; 286(1-2):53-8. Epub 2006 Mar 11.

5. Effect of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) on glycaemic status in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2005 Sep;60(3):109-12.

6. Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) modulates activities of intestinal and renal disaccharidases in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2005 Aug; 49(8):791-6.

7. Antioxidant properties of Momordica Charantia (bitter gourd) seeds on Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2005; 14(2):153-8.

8. Combined treatment of sodium orthovanadate and Momordica charantia fruit extract prevents alterations in lipid profile and lipogenic enzymes in alloxan diabetic rats. Mol Cell Biochem. 2005 Jan; 268(1-2):111-20.

9. Does bitter melon contain an activator of AMP-activated kinase? Med Hypotheses. 2004; 63(2):340-3.

10. Evaluation of the efficacy of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) as an oral hypoglycemic agent–a randomized controlled clinical trial. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2003 Jul; 47(3):363-5.

11. Antihyperglycemic effects of three extracts from Momordica charantia. J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Sep; 88(1):107-11.

12. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia): a review of efficacy and safety. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2003 Feb 15; 60(4):356-9.

13. Natural products used for diabetes. J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash). 2002 Mar-Apr; 42(2):217-26.

14. Effect of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) fruit juice on the hepatic cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases and glutathione S-transferases in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Biochem Pharmacol. 1996 Nov 22; 52(10):1639-42.

A recent study done in July and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggested that a specie of plant found in India near Sri Lanka helps to lower glucose levels after a large meal. I have never heard of this plant before, so I decided to link to the research I found here and take a look at the overall study.

The study took a group of Type 2 Diabetics and gave them doses of Salacia Oblonga extract in either 0mg, 240mg or 480mg quantities. Then all patients had a control meal and blood glucose tests were taken. There was a reduction in glucose levels 180 minutes after the meal with the patients who took the extract over control. The findings point to a significant reduction in glucose after a big meal with the help of this herb. The entire study can be read here- Extract of Salacia oblonga lowers acute glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Basically, this is yet another herb that has demonstrated some glucose lowering effects. I looked around on Pubmed and found another piece of research where some researchers used a cocktail of 8 Indian herbs on rats- Curcuma longa, Strychnos potatorum, Salacia oblonga, Tinospora cordifolia, Vetivelia zizanioides, Coscinium fenestratum, Andrographis paniculata and Mimosa pudica. While I have never heard of any of those, Salacia Oblonga is one of them! They fed this herbal combination to rats with induced Diabetes Mellitus and there was “significant lower levels of glucose” and that a larger dose brought back almost all the parameters to near normal levels. Please read this article as well, if your interested- Antihyperglycaemic effect of ‘Ilogen-Excel’, an ayurvedic herbal formulation in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

A couple months ago I made a post about a helpful diabetic herb that goes by many names- the Asian Pumpkin, the Shark Fin Melon, chilacayote, and its proper name- Cucurbita Ficifolia. It was actually misrepresented in the press as simply a pumpkin, which was somewhat astounding. I still wonder if Diabetics are eating regular orange pumpkins thinking that they are recieving health benefits. The original study is linked to in my first post about this Shark Fin Melon.

Someone came along and commented on my post with a couple of excellent sources for this hard to find vegetable in America. First off, you can find the seeds on J Hudson’s Website. It is under the name “Chilacayote”. The short description calls it by its normal name and you can actually order the seeds and attempt to grow them yourself. PLEASE EMAIL me if you decide to do this, I would love to do a writeup on how to grow them and how the entire process went.

A little more digging helped me find D-chiro-Inositol (DCI). DCI is related to Cucurbita Ficifolia in this study, by the same authors as the first: D-chiro-Inositol found in Cucurbita ficifolia (Cucurbitaceae) fruit extracts plays the hypoglycaemic role in streptozocin-diabetic rats. It appears that the D-chiro-Inositol might be the main ingredient of the Shark Fin Melon. If that is so, then what we would really want to suppliment is with the DCI.

Someone gave me a source for it! Here it is- Chiral Balance.

Please note that I have not yet tried this supplement and I have absolutely no idea if it is helpful or not. I would love someone’s input if they tried it. The company appears to promote the product for different uses.

In an interesting study completed recently in China, it was found that Cucurbita ficifolia is useful in lowering blood sugar in rats with induced diabetes. Cucurbita ficifolia also is known as the Shark Finn Melon or an Asian Pumpkin.

I found it amazing that this article was reported by some mainstream news as simply a pumpkin. It wasn’t until I found the actual abstract of the research that contained the exact name of this so called pumpkin that I realized it was basically misreported. That is too bad, because this melon looks like it has some great qualities. If you read the entire abstract you can see that they believe the higher plasma insulin levels was produced by actually more B-Cell mass, meaning that this shark fin melon demonstrated regenerative properties on the mice.

Hypoglycaemic role of Cucurbita ficifolia (Cucurbitaceae) fruit extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

I have found no source for ordering this type of melon, but I read about it and it is similar to spaghetti squash in its texture and how you cook it. If anyone knows where to order it, please let me know in a comment to this post.

It is amazing sometimes what research goes undiscovered for diseases that kill so many people. To a large degree, that is the sole reason that I started this blog. I wanted to create a place where people can see the actual research. Too many supplements and herbs are over hyped on the Internet with the promise of cures and miracle results. While that kind of marketing is misleading, what people need to realize is that there is real hard science behind certain claims about supplements, vitamins and herbs.

While at my local healthfood store the other day my friend there told me about Pomegranate Juice and atherosclerosis, which is something that all diabetics should be concerned about. The hardening of the arteries really causes problems to diabetics, as high blood sugars can lead to atherosclerosis. At least that is my current understanding.

The study was done in Israel in 2004, and demonstrated an actual reduction in carotid intimamedia thickness by up to 30%. That is astounding research that needs more investigation and more exposure in the media. An actual reduction in the thickness of the arteries really gives me hope that the debilitating and deadly side effects of arteries becoming clogged can not only be prevented but reversed. And it is all done by a common fruit!