Metabolic health - Nutraceutical Improves Glycemic Control, Insulin Sensitivity, and Oxidative Stress in Hyperglycemic Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

A clinical trial describes how supplementation with a herbal and vitamin formulation for 12 weeks may improve the symptoms of hyperglycemia.

The nutraceutical, in the form used in the study, contained a combination of three medicinal herb extracts – including bitter melon, fenugreek, cinnamon, along with the micronutrients zinc, biotin, chromium, cholecalciferol and alpha-lipoic acid.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, researchers at Mahidol University evaluated the efficacy of the product in a total of 110 recruited adults (20-70 yrs), who were allocated to receive either the test nutraceutical or a placebo (microcrystalline cellulose) without the active ingredients for 12 weeks.

The investigators evaluated the effects of the formula on fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), blood lipid and cholesterol levels, the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) scoring system, oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers at weeks 0, 6 and 12 of intervention.

At the end of the study, the outcome analysis revealed that subjects who had taken the test formula showed a significant decrease in FBG and HOMA-IR (P<0.001) at 6-weeks and a significant decrease in HbA1C (P<0.001) by week 12.

In addition, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, and oxidative stress markers, oxidized LDL-C and MDA, had also declined, in comparison to the placebo group. Although not statistically significant, there was also a trend towards a decline in blood lipids and the inflammatory marker, hsCRP (P = 0.072 and P = 0.062).

There were no significant differences between the two groups in relation to adverse effects, however, 6% of the nutraceutical group experienced an improvement in bowel movements, which may be an effect of the actions of cinnamon and fenugreek.

In summary, the research outcomes suggest that supplementing with the test formula may alleviate biomarkers of hyperglycemia and may contribute to a progressive improvement in cardiovascular health status and general wellbeing.

Reference: Bumrungpert A, et al. Natural Product Communications. April 2020. Volume 15(4): 1–11.

Financial sponsor of study: Max Biocare Pty Ltd.

Full text available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1934578X20918687