Ginseng therapy in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of ginseng on newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients.


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.
Sotaniemi
E A
EA
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
Haapakoski
E
E
Rautio
A
A
D000339:Affect; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006304:Health Status; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D005894:Panax; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D010919:Placebos; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood*; D012890:Sleep; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002784:Cholesterol; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010919:Placebos; D011347:Procollagen; D014280:Triglycerides; C041876:procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide