fighting diabetes

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gymnema sylvestre

 

gymnema sylvestre, sylvestris diabetea gurmar

meshashringi Gymnema Sylvestre, also known as Gurmar

and Meshashringi, whose Hindi name literally means

'sugar destroyer', has been used in Ayurveda for

several centuries to regulate sugar metabolism. The

hypoglycemic (blood sugar-lowering) action of gymnema

leaves was first documented in the late 1920s. This

action is gradual in nature, differing from the rapid

effect of many prescription hypoglycemic drugs.

 

Gymnema leaves raise insulin levels by regeneration of

the cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin. Other

research has shown that gymnema also improves uptake

of glucose into cells by increasing the activity of

the glucose utilizing enzymes, and prevents adrenaline

from stimulating the liver to produce glucose, thereby

reducing blood sugar levels. The leaves are also noted

for lowering serum cholesterol and triglycerides. It

also abolishes the taste of sugar, which effectively

suppresses and neutralizes the craving for sweets.

 

The leaf extracts contain gymnemic acid which inhibits

hyperglycemia and also acts as a cardiovascular

stimulant. The primary clinical application for this

botanical is as an antidiabetic agent. Gymnema has

been the subject of considerable research since the

1930s, with promising results for types 1 and 2

diabetes. Gymnema has been successful in controlling

the blood sugar level without reducing it to below the

normal blood sugar level, an effect seen with the use

of insulin or oral hypoglycemic sulphonylurea

compounds.

 

Gymnema provides a simple and effective method to help

maintain healthy glucose levels. Gymnema contains

Gymnemic acid (GA), quercitol, lupeol, ß-amyrin and

stigmasterol, which have glucose lowering properties.

It works safely within your current regimen to promote

proper pancreatic function.

http://www.herbalprovider.com/gymnema-sylvestre.html?src=ggl & w=gymnema-sylvestre

 

 

Gymnema Sylvestre Other Common Names: Gurmarbooti,

gurmar, Gymnema Sylvestre Range: Deccan peninsula,

Assam, and some parts of Africa. Gymnema sylvestre

(GS) is a woody climbing plant that grows in the

tropical forests of central and southern India. The

leaves are used in herbal medicine preparations. G.

sylvestre is known as " periploca of the woods " in

English and mesbasringi (meaning " ram's horn " ) in

Sanskrit. The leaves, when chewed, interfere with the

ability to taste sweetness, which explains the Hindi

name gurmar - " destroyer of sugar. " Plant constituents

include two resins (one soluble in alcohol), gymnemic

acids, saponins, stigmasterol, quercitol, and the

amino acid derivatives betaine, choline and

trimethylamine. Gymnema sylvestre is a stomachic,

diuretic, refrigerant, astringent, and tonic.

 

It has been found to increase urine output and reduce

hyperglycemia in both animal and human studies.

Gymnema has been used in India for the treatment of

diabetes for over 2,000 years. The primary application

was for adult-onset diabetes, a condition for which it

continues to be recommended today in India. The leaves

were also used for stomach ailments, constipation,

water retention, and liver disease. Extracts of G.

sylvestre given to patients with type I diabetes on

insulin therapy reduces insulin requirements and

fasting blood sugar levels, and improves blood sugar

control.

 

In a study of type II diabetics, gyrmnema extract

given along with oral hypoglycemic drugs was shown to

improve blood sugar control and to either lead to

discontinuation of the medicine or a significantly

reduced dosage. It is interesting to note that gymnema

extract given to healthy volunteers does not produce

any blood sugar-lowering, or hypoglycemic, effects.

Gymnema sylvestre is one of the Asclepiad strains that

grows in South-east Asia.

 

Their therapeutic effects for treating diabetes

mellitus, rheumatic arthritis and gout have been well

known for a long time. However, the problem is that GS

suppresses sweetness and tastes bitter. For this

study, we chose Gymnema inodorum (GI) instead of GS,

since it has an advantage that it does not suppress

sweetness nor is it bitter in taste. Our studies

suggest that the component of GI inhibits the increase

in the blood glucose level by interfering with the

intestinal glucose absorption process. The

effectiveness of GS4, an extract from the leaves of

Gymnema sylvestre, in controlling hyperglycemia was

investigated in 22 Type 2 diabetic patients on

conventional oral anti-hyperglycemic agents.

 

GS4 (400 mg/day) was administered for 18-20 months as

a supplement to the conventional oral drugs. During

GS4 supplementation, the patients showed a significant

reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin

and glycosylated plasma proteins, and conventional

drug dosage could be decreased. Five of the 22

diabetic patients were able to discontinue their

conventional drug and maintain their blood glucose

homeostasis with GS4 alone. These data suggest that

the beta cells may be regenerated/repaired in Type 2

diabetic patients on GS4 supplementation.

 

This is supported by the appearance of raised insulin

levels in the serum of patients after GS4

supplementation. No side effects have been reported

from using this Ayurvedic botanical. Safety in

pregnancy has not been established.

 

- Shimizu K, Ozeki M, Tanaka K, Itoh K, Nakajyo S,

Urakawa N, Atsuchi M. Suppression of glucose

absorption by extracts from the leaves of Gymnema

inodorum.

 

- Baskaran K, Kizar Ahamath B, Radha Shanmugasundaram

K, Shanmugasundaram ER J Ethnopharmacol 1990

Oct;30(3):295-300

 

- Antidiabetic effect of a leaf extract from Gymnema

sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

patients.