title: A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study of an herbal preparation containing Vernonia cinerea in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A randomized, single-center, double-blind, crossover clinical trial investigated the effects of an herbal preparation containing Vernonia cinerea in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  48 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus for longer than 6 months were divided into two groups matched for demographic and paraclinical variables. One group received a standard preparation of V. cinerea for 3 months, followed by placebo for another 3 months, and the other group received treatment in the reverse order. All patients received detailed advice on diet, exercise, and lifestyle modification. Glucose level was documented every 2 weeks, and hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and creatinine levels were determined at recruitment, 3 months, and study completion at 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Glucose, hemoglobin A1c, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels decreased significantly in both groups. No significant differences were seen in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, or creatinine levels, indicating that use of the herbal preparation had no adverse effect on liver or renal function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Herbal treatment with V. cinerea has a beneficial effect on reducing the glycemic state in patients with type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Dhaka , Bangladesh .
authors.forename: Muhammad Shahdaat
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bin Sayeed
authors.forename: A G M
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Mostofa
authors.forename: F M Touhidul Islam
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Ferdous
authors.forename: Md Siddiqul
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Islam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D035741:Vernonia
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids; D010919:Placebos; D028321:Plant Preparations; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human