A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study of an herbal preparation containing Vernonia cinerea in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

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.